The Top 12 players from Darwin’s Premier Grade competition in 2023
A Waratah gun who stepped into the big shoes of Ash Chandrasinghe with aplomb, a young PINT captain and an emerging leg spinner. See who made the squad.
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The Premier Grade cricket finals are here with Nightcliff, Waratah, Southern Districts and Darwin qualifying for September action for the second year in a row.
The Tigers will be out to atone for a semi-final loss to Crocs last season at Gerry Wood Oval where they were skittled for just 99 while Districts are chasing back-to-back two-day competition flags.
Meanwhile, the Eagles will be looking to go one better after last year’s 78-run grand final loss while Tahs will chase a better performance than the meagre 129 they produced in a semi last September at Kahlin Oval.
But who are the stars of the 2023 Premier Grade season from an individual point of view?
The NT News has named the 12 best players from the home and away season, including the 50-over and two-day competitions.
Ryan Hackney
Waratah
Highest score: 156 not out against Tracy Village.
A more than handy replacement for Ash Chandrasinghe at the top of the order at Gardens Oval, the former first class batter pounded 802 runs at 89.11 in Premier Grade, including four hundreds, a 94 and an 86 to be the standout batter
Making just one score in single digits from 11 games, Hackney was clearly a class above, signing off on his Darwin experience with 124 against PINT.
Douwtjie Hoogenboezem
Nightcliff
Highest score: 180 against PINT
The Western Australian product has been Nightcliff’s premier batter in 2023, with
634 runs at 79.25 from 12 games including a massive 180 against PINT and five half centuries – three of which came in succession.
In fact, in that golden run, he made four from five innings plus an innings of 34 not out.
Hoogenboezem will be a key part of the Tigers’ quest for a two-day flag.
Coby Edmondstone
PINT
Highest score: 120 v Tracy Village
Best bowling: 7/73 against Nightcliff
While his team has struggled for wins in 2023, young Edmondstone has led from the front as captain, while receiving tutelage from legendary Victorian Sheffield Shield wicketkeeper Darren Berry in the Strike League.
With 24 wickets at 27.2 – including two five-wicket hauls – plus 496 runs at 41.3 with two hundreds, Edmondstone has been an integral part of the PINT line up.
Finished the season with an important 79 in the final round as PINT scored its second win for the season.
Param Uppal
Waratah
Highest score: 138 against Darwin
Best bowling: 4/62 v Southern Districts
The former NSW first class cricketer was exceptional for the red caps with 20 wickets at 20 with his spinners, only going wicketless in one of his nine stints at the crease.
Then with the bat, he struck two hundreds on the way to 463 runs at a fine average of 51.4 from 10 games.
Played his final game against Southern Districts in late July.
Dylan Mullen
Southern Districts
Highest score:
Best bowling: 4/14 against Palmerston in round 2.
The Crocs all-rounder has stood above the rest at Gerry Wood Oval in 2023, either with bat or ball.
A 146 against Tracy Village was the standout performance of his 440 runs at 40 this season, complemented by 24 wickets at just 20, with four bags of four, from his 12 games.
Mitch Doolan
PINT
Highest score: 70 against Darwin and Waratah
Best bowling: 7/46 against Darwin
The young spinner has shone despite his team struggling for success in 2023, coming in second on the Premier Grade wicket table with 25 at 19 including two bags of five.
He only went wicketless once from his 10 appearances at the crease.
Could also be relied upon to produce important runs down the list, too, with two scores of 70 coming against the top teams in Darwin and Waratah.
Caelan Maladay
Nightcliff
Best bowling: 4/36 against Waratah.
Maladay led a strong bowling unit which claimed the 50-over title undefeated, with Maladay taking 4/36 in the decider at DXC Arena.
A testament to his skill and consistency, Maladay also led the Premier competition for wickets with 26 at 18.15 despite Nightcliff having a range of bowling options.
Hamish Martin
Palmerston
Highest score: 61 against Darwin
Best bowling: 5/90 against Nightcliff
The Palmerston skipper had another strong season with bat and ball down at Cazalys, claiming 22 wickets at 24 while contributing 220 runs at 24 with two fifties.
His best efforts came against top four teams, with a valuable 61 coming in at number eight against Darwin and 5/90 against Nightcliff as the Tigers suffered a rare loss in round 12.
Charlie Smith
Nightcliff
Best bowling: 3/9 against Tracy Village
The young leg spinner had a breakout season after a stint the SA Premier Cricket competition over the summer.
Smith took 22 wickets at just 19.7 to finish third on the Premier Grade bowling table, complementing a strong Tigers bowling unit.
Didn’t bowl bulk overs like some of his contemporaries but contributed with wickets when required.
Reiley Mark
Southern Districts
Best bowling: 5/59 against Palmerston
The former Tracy Village spinner has been one of the Crocs’ best recruits this year with 22 wickets at 21 from just eight games.
Known to bowl long spells, and often pushing past the 20-over barrier, Mark took a wicket every time he visited the bowling crease with 5/59 off 20.4 overs against Palmerston a standout performance in round 8.
Jack Wood
Waratah
Highest score: 83 against Nightcliff
Best bowling: 3/42
The Big Bash all-rounder was expected to dominate Premier Grade and he didn’t disappoint Waratah supporters.
With 425 runs at an average of 85, Wood compiled four scores above 75 to give his side impetus late in the innings, including three undefeated, while chipping in with 13 wickets at 29.
Anthony Adlam
Darwin
Highest score: 146 against Palmerston
The Eagles opener was Darwin’s most consistent batter during the home and away season with 620 runs at 56.3 including two hundreds and three fifties.
Has found peak form on the cusp of finals with scores of 133 and 57 not out against Palmerston in round 13.
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Originally published as The Top 12 players from Darwin’s Premier Grade competition in 2023
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