Everything you need to know about the 2025 Darwin & District Cricket Competition
Local stars and talented imports will collide in what promises to be an exciting 2025 edition of the Darwin & District Cricket Competition. Check out the ins and outs here.
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Top End cricket is back and is promising to be bigger and better than ever.
With less than a week to go until the start of the Men’s and Women’s 2025 Darwin and Dstricts Cricket Competition, we’ve taken an indepth dive into each first grade side, compiling all you need to know for the year ahead.
Check out the ins and outs and predictions from your club’s below.
WOMEN’S RUNDOWN
DARWIN CRICKET CLUB
The change in format and interstate player system has seen a bit of change at Darwin for the new season with a fresh squad being assembled.
The Eagles will be competing in the second division of the competition for 2025 and have a bit of time under their belts until they take to the field.
“We are playing in the second division this year so as that doesn’t begin until May we still have players to recruit and return for us,” Paige Sutherland said.
“As a group we’ve got a positive outlook for the year ahead and are excited to see how the new team gels and what we can achieve in this new format as well.
“I believe that the Nicholls girls will have another great season and that all the other newbies will also have a solid season for the Eagles.”
NIGHTCLIFF CRICKET CLUB
Nightcliff is hopeful it can emulate the men’s form from last season and bring home another flag to the den.
Another side that has experienced a bit of turnover during the break, Nightcliff has an uphill battle ahead of them having placed second last overall.
Nightcliff player Zoe Melissa Webb said her side had a solid off-season with some new recruits and good training sessions already.
“There’s been a bit of change in the team with a number of girls leaving and a fair few new ones joining us,” Webb said.
“The vibes have been good so far and our pre-season sessions have gone well.
“As for any predictions I’m just hoping that we can do better than last season and all continue to improve our skill sets as individuals and a team.”
PALMERSTON CRICKET CLUB
After last year’s grand final heat-break, the women at Palmerston have never had more fire in their bellies than they do at present.
A squad that has shown great growth the past few seasons will once again be led by captain Jennifer Sharma who is locking her girls in for another flag push.
“The vibes have been off the charts during the break and that’s from us having a number of girls returning and newbies all gelling together well,” she said.
“We have extra hunger and drive after losing the grand final so that’s made everybody turn it up a notch at training.
“We will be contenders again this year and I have a lot of belief in the girls. We can go back to the big dance and get the flag.”
Sharma said the addition of the new format, rule changes and trust in her side will make for an interesting campaign.
“I reckon the updated format will be a good addition as it brings us in alignment a lot more with the other states and will help our locals and juniors grow their game and understanding which they can then take to a national level,” she said.
“I know all of our girls will contribute in one way or another but Erin McCormick is looking to make a ton so I’m going to back her in for a huge year.
“Naomi McMahon behind the sticks will be huge for us this year and I know she’ll have safe hands and youngie Addie Gallagher who’s coming up from Victoria is one to watch out for as well.”
PINT CRICKET CLUB
PINT’s women’s side are rearing and ready to go for the upcoming season with a few fresh faces, a brand new coach and returning players filling out its squad.
Kelly Gulliver has taken the mantle as the side’s captain for 2025 with her sights firmly set on producing a season of growth and winning.
“We have a number of players who are joining us for the first time and for their first season of cricket,” Gulliver said.
“We have a new coach Zach O’Toole on board and his daughter and wife are also in the team so it’s a real family affair.
“We have also got a couple of imports joining us from interstate, one from Western Australia and another from Victoria.”
After prodding its best results in the women’s competition last season Gulliver is hopeful to maintain the same level of form, and said she is going to lead from the front in her new role.
“We made the finals for the first time in our history which was a massive achievement for us,” she said.
“I’ve been in the side for four years now so I have some experience and I’m going to use that as captain.
“I’m a bit nervous but the girls have backed me in so I’m going to prove them right.”
Gulliver said she’s picking two players in particular for a stellar season.
“Narelle Goostray I think will be great again with the bat and I’m betting on her to crack the 50 (runs) this year,” she said.
“And I’d love to see our junior bowler Jordy O’Toole have another ripper year, fingers crossed she gets a hat-trick too.”
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS CRICKET CLUB
Southern Districts have been building their depth in recent years and have plenty of players to field sides across both women’s divisions this season.
It was a fourth-place finish for the Crocs in 2024, which included a win over eventual finalists Palmerston early on and a valiant effort against champions Waratah in the semi-final.
Jennifer Wilton returns as captain and she’s hoping her troops can prove their depth is strong and continue to build as a side as they push for another finals campaign.
The 2024 Women’s Cricketer of the Year Hannah Armstrong will be one to keep an eye on, while Sam Quinn and Emma Carling are expected to have big years with the ball.
“It’s an exciting time for the club, we have a team in both competitions and are looking forward to the season ahead,” Wilton said.
“It will be new teams all over again for us as we’re focused at the top division, we’ve had some great off season recruiting and we’ve ended up with a strong group of 23.
“Hannah will be one to look out for, she came on board last year while the likes of Sam and Emma have been around for us for a few years and will be important with the ball.
“For us this year will be about giving it a crack, see how we go and where we land and hopefully learn what we need to improve on throughout.”
TRACY VILLAGE CRICKET CLUB
The 2023 champions were at the pointy end have been a mainstay at the pointy end of proceedings through recent years, and are expected to be thereabouts again.
They narrowly missed out on another go in the grand final last September when they were knocked out by Palmerston in the preliminary final.
A push for imports including Eliza Jagger and Meghan McCartney has the squad poised for another push with the hopes of replicating that final day in 2023, when Emily Johnston starred with 115 not out off 59 balls.
“There’s a few of us playing our first season in Darwin, and we’re absolutely ecstatic for the season to start,” Jagger said.
“We’ve had some pretty intense training led by our head coach Jack Doyle, he’s been doing an amazing job and ensured standards are extremely high.
“We have a few new girls coming up to join us that’s good to see and hopefully it helps keep a high standard in Darwin cricket.
“This is my first time here, I’m from Victoria and have played footy but am now keen to get into the cricket scene, I’ve played a bit in the Melbourne premier league mainly as a bowler.”
WARATAH CRICKET CLUB
Waratah are the most successful women’s outfit of the past few seasons and will want to maintain their crown as they take on 2025.
The reigning champions have won four of the past five women’s deciders, and after beating Palmerston in last year’s big dance can go back-to-back with victory this year.
There’s some new faces around the squad again so it’s a matter of ensuring they mesh well with the established core group.
Chelsea McNeill is in her second season with Waratah and hoping to build on last year’s success, while the well-known Melissa ‘Shorty’ Campbell is back for yet another dig at the trophy.
“Things are looking good, we have a fair few faces in the team so it will be good to see what sort of an impact they have,” McNeill said.
“Our expectations are to back up last year, just work at it across the season and hopefully come out on top of the table again, that would be nice.
“We’re hoping to be stronger again with those new players in the group and feed off the energy they bring.
“We expect the standard to be pretty high, the clubs have been training pretty hard and getting better so hopefully we have a nice, competitive season.”
MEN’S RUNDOWN
PALMERSTON CRICKET CLUB
Season 2024 results: T20 – last, One-Day – semi-finalists, Two-Day – premiers
Two-Day premiers prediction: Southern Districts
Captain: Hamish Martin (returning)
Notable signings/Players to watch:
– Jerome Robinson: Kiwi import from United C.C. in Palmerston North
– Aidan Firman: Re-signed
– Jasper Darley: Port Adelaide C.C. player
Info:
The reigning two-day champions across both the A and B grade competitions haven’t undergone too many changes in the off season, but have the eagerness and ability to go back-to-back.
Palmerston burst back into premiership contention last season off the back of some brilliant bowling, namely from their skipper Hamish Martin, who had figures of 9-52 in the semi-final.
Harshtik Bimbral and Ethan Anderson were two young guns to properly break their way into the starting 11 by last season’s finals, while Cadell McMahon is making a name for himself too.
Another year of experience under their belts means the Palmerston local crop is strong for another title push, while some key imports could be telling if they’re on song as in 2024.
“It’s been great ahead of the season, numbers have been consistent and it’s nice to see a lot of returning faces and a couple of new ones,” Martin said.
“Last year came down to the consistency of our core group, our imports gave a lot not only to the playing 11 but the club as a whole and that’s why we were so successful.
“For me, I found a bit of rhythm towards the end of last year and I’ll just keep doing what’s been working for me the past years and hopefully blokes keep playing for spin and missing them.
“Districts, as well as ourselves, are the sides that usually have the strongest locals and having that aspect shows in the teams that take it through to September, where we’re hoping to be again.”
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS CRICKET CLUB
Season 2024 results: T20 – premiers, One-Day – semi-finalists, Two-Day – semi-finalists
Two-Day premiers prediction: Palmerston
Captain: Tim Garner (returning)
Notable signings/Players to watch:
– Delano Potgieter: South African first-class all-rounder and IPL player is returning for 2025
– Matthew St. Clair: A youngster who had a breakout 2024
– Zac Curtain: Australian U19 and Tas. 2nd XI listed right hand bat
Info:
Off the back of a successful 2024 campaign across all three formats the Crocs are aiming to go to new heights and take out the three peat in 2025.
Comfortably the favourites for the two-day flag as per the other club captains the men at Southern Districts won’t allow the outside noise to be a distracter.
“We won our first T20 title last year which was great but we just fell short of the final in both one and two day,” captain Tim Garner said.
“We’ve been strong for the last four years or so and want to continue that form.
“To achieve that we’ll need each player to buy in and contribute obviously through the season.
“And our goal is definitely to win the three-peat and I have confidence in the side we’ve assembled that we do have the capacity to contest all three.
Southern Districts is also bolstering its chances with some big name inclusions and the potential promotion of some juniors among the ranks.
“South African Delano Potgieter is coming back for us which is massive and we’ve also recruited Zac Curtain from Tassie who is going to be a big help with the bat.
“We have plenty of talented juniors at the club too so don’t be surprised to see some of them filter through, such as Barker, Josh Gawthorpe and Matt St Clair.”
DARWIN CRICKET CLUB
Season 2024 results: T20 – runners-up, One-Day – 5th, Two-Day – 6th
Two-Day premiers prediction: Southern Districts
Captain: Jacob Dickman (new)
Notable signings/Players to watch:
– Justin Galeotti: Returning for the Eagles having made a major impact in the second half of last year’s campaign
– Kane Halfpenny: SA import who’s been playing for the state 2nd XI this year
Info:
‘Quietly positive’ is how new Darwin Eagles captain Jacob Dickman is feeling ahead of the upcoming 2025 season.
“I reckon we are all feeling quietly positive as a club at the moment,” Dickman said.
“We’ve had a fair amount of turnover over the break and most notably will be without our captain Daniel Kerber.
“He’ll be a big out for us as well as Aidan Brasher and Mitch Jefferson who are both not returning.
“Justin Galeotti will be returning for us this season. He played the second half the comp last year and will slot in nicely.
“We also have the under-19 keeper from Queensland joining us and other new guys also.
A rather young side comparatively to the rest of the competition, Dickman said he feels it’s the perfect group for a rebound season.
“There’s so many young guys and after not going all that well in 2024 this group is perfect for us to get stuck in a rebuild back to title contenders again,” he said.
“It’s going to be a long season, and in a three format season anything can and will happen, so we’ve just got to dig deep and turn up each match if we are to have success in what’s looking to be a tough competitive year.”
TRACY VILLAGE CRICKET CLUB
Season 2024 results: T20 – 6th, One-Day – 6th, Two-Day – last
Two-Day premiers prediction: Southern Districts
Captain: JanuVaratharajan (new)
Notable signings/Players to watch:
– Connor Carroll: Joined from Nightcliff, hit a match winning 104 in last year’s one-day final, he also finished second in the one-day run scoring charts with 442 runs at 55
– Scott Palombo: Qld 2nd XI and Norths Districts Brisbane player
– Jake Gerrans: Joondalup Cricket Club (WA), wicketkeeper and very handy bat
– Ryan Walker: Northern Suburbs Brisbane left-arm leggy, took 50 wickets at 19.42 this season
– Jake Smith: ANU first grader, all-rounder who just recorded 50 wickets and 786 runs
– Muhammad Irfan Junior: Pakistan first class cricket who boasts an average of 23 with 80 total wickets from 22 matches
Info:
There’s been another big changing of the guard at Tracy Village as they again try to find the combination of players that can help them back into title contention.
The Villagers have struggled for consistent results in recent years and have experienced plenty of turnover in the meantime, but a strong group of players have made the move across.
Jack Doyle was among their standouts last season and returns as a leader once more this year coaching the side as well as playing.
Meanwhile, they’ve pulled off the big coup of signing one of the league’s best openers in Connor Carroll from Nightcliff, who made the jump alongside new captain Janu Varatharajan.
“We’ve got good numbers at training coming into the season so we’re looking forward to getting stuck in with this new squad,” Varatharajan said.
“I’m looking forward to Carroll coming across and seeing what he can do now he’s in Tracy colours, he’s one of the best openers from Nightcliff and we’re hoping to get one over them.
“For us it’s going to be about focusing on what we can control and now getting caught up in other stuff, we’ve got some imports coming in and we’ll pick up with them.
“I’ve been at Tracy in the past so I know the environment, and this is my first major captaincy so we’re looking forward to seeing what will transpire as the season goes on.”
NIGHTCLIFF CRICKET CLUB
Season 2024 results:T20 – 3rd, One-Day – premiers, Two-Day – semi-finalists
Two-Day premiers prediction: Southern Districts
Captain: Andrew Richards (new)
Notable signings/Players to watch:
– Niven Dovey: NZ import, handy top order batter and off-spinner
– Chris Kellaway: Teenager from Melbourne C.C. recently represented U19 Vic. side
– Jordan Roads: The batsman is back at the den after his stint last season
– Moe Spencer: Teenage batsman/wicketkeeper from St Kilda C.C.
– Will Blair:Returns after missing the last few seasons, will slot in atop the order
– Fergus McKenna: Current captain of Melbourne Uni. C.C.
Info:
Much like Tracy Village, the Tigers have had a monster of an off-season with a litany of signings and changes behind the scenes.
A club president, head of cricket, A-grade coach and captain are among the sweeping changes the club went through over the break in order to re-establish itself as the powerhouse in the DDCC.
Local Andrew Richards has been handed the reins for the new season and is over the moon to be leading his club.
“I’m definitely stoked and honoured to be the new captain,” Richards said.
“I know the guys have a lot of trust in me and I’ll make sure I repay them for that.”
Richards said his side, while nothing like last year’s, was confident they had assembled the right men for the job.
“We’ve made heaps of changes and lost a few guys as well,” he said.
“The club has made strategic recruitments of players from interstate who have a variety of experience but are all very talented individuals.”
The new captain also explained he felt his side could continue its white ball success while bettering its two-day play.
“As a team we’ve been successful in white ball but the one that’s been missing is a two-day win,” he said.
“As a group we are very focused on getting that flag.”
WARATAH CRICKET CLUB
Season 2024 results:T20 – 5th, One-Day – runners-up, Two-Day – runners-up
Two-Day premiers prediction: Didn’t provide one, said it’s too early to call
Captain: Udara Weerasinghe (former/new)
Notable Signings/Players to watch:
– Archie McCormick: Youngster and accurate right-arm leggy
Info:
Waratah went down in both the one day and two finals last season, and with a strong core of juniors coming through have a chance to go one better.
Sibling duo Udara Weerasinghe returns as captain and Madura Weerasinghe will provide stability and experience, as well as renowned bowling.
Otherwise, there’s a lot of juniors such as Archie McCormick, Mithuru Perera, Arlo Everet, Rithun Rasathurai, Sujan Huluangamuwa, Junaid Mansoor, Hugo Mathais, and Harvey McCormick who are expected to build into the competition.
Then it comes down to the imports they manage to bring in, with Waratah usually prone to recruiting a strong batter or two, to bring them another strong season.
Udara Weerasinghe said consistency would be the key for success in 2025 as they pushed to build their side for a strong finish.
“The squad is shaping up well ahead of the season, we’ve managed to maintain a strong core group, while introducing a few fresh faces who bring new energy and depth,” he said.
“The mix of experience and emerging talent gives us a good balance heading into competition.
“Training has been intense but productive, the squad has been putting in the hard work, finetuning our strategies and improving fitness levels.
“Our main goal is to build consistency in our performances and push for a strong finish.
“We’re aiming to compete at our best each week, develop our younger players, and create a team culture that thrives on teamwork and resilience. If we stick to our structures and play to our strengths, we’re confident we can have a successful season.”
PINT CRICKET CLUB
Season 2024 results: T20 – 4th, One-Day – last, Two-Day – 5th
Two-Day premiers prediction: Southern Districts
Captain: Connor Fulton (new)
Notable Signings/Players to watch:
– Connor Fulton: (re-signed) Essendon C.C 1st XI vice-captain and wicketkeeper
Info:
Another club that has had a significant amount of change in the off-season, PINT is looking to rebound after a rather lacklustre 2024 campaign.
With a number of squad changes for the upcoming season the team is looking to make its way back into the top four across all three formats.
“We were disappointed with last year’s results, ending up outside of the four in the one and two day competition,” vice-captain Sanka Vimasha Wijegunarathna said.
“So our goal is to improve and I believe we have the players to achieve that with a number of players joining us, six imports from down south, and our locals too.”
Wijegunarathna said he believed the appointment of the team’s new captain would be a major factor in PINT’s resurgence.
“Connor Fulton is our new captain and he is joining us again for a second year in a row from Victoria,” he said.
“He is a major guy for us and will be our wicketkeeper again.”
“As a group we have had time to reflect and think and we are taking a positive and competitive attitude into this year.”
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