The NT News ranks every batter and bowler from the 2022 Darwin & Districts Cricket Competition

The Darwin & District Cricket Competition is well underway and with over 1000 players the NT News has ranked every batter and bowler from all grades. SEE WHERE YOU’RE RANKED HERE

A PINT C-Grade opening bat pulled off the heroics with a titanic innings to see his side through to victory in another week of high class Top End cricket action.

Daniel Murphy showed plenty of class with a tidy 116 runs from 120 balls to carry his PINT side through to a 37 run victory over Southern Districts.

It was also a performance that put Murphy right on top of the 2022 batting rankings ahead of Nightcliff B-Grader Mansukh Singh, on 492 runs.

Waratah batting sensation Ash Chandrasinghe also shot up the rankings following back to back hundreds and looks in the form to rise much further than his current 32nd position.

The young opener currently has 260 runs from five innings excelling since taking on an opening berth with knocks of 102, against Southern Districts, and 123, against PINT.

Waratah's Ashley Chandrasinghe has been in strong form in his past couple of matches, Picture: Roz Lavercombe

Chadrasinghe has been one of the more dominant bats in the Top End over the past few years and his presence has often related to success both for Waratah and his Strike League outfits.

In the bowling it was another C-Grade player in Chris McGregor from Palmerston who took out the top spot.

McGregor added two new wickets to his overall haul of 24 in a win over Southern Districts on the weekend.

Though officially with his 23 B-Grade wickets and three A-Grade wickets combined Nightcliff’s Charlie Smith would be the highest wicket taker of the season.

Young spinner shows his stuff

An 18-year-old spin prodigy from Tiger town was the pick of the bowlers in another exciting weekend of Top End cricket full of big performers.

Charlie Smith had a massive showing for his Nightcliff side nailing six wickets in a third innings demolition of Palmerston in the B-Grade competition.

The youngster, it took two wickets in the Masters game against a side containing D’Arcy Short, didn’t grab a wicket in the opening spell, but came to life when called upon later in the game.

The 14 over spell which included two maiden overs for just 54 runs saw Smith rise to the top of the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition bowling world.

He now has 23 wickets across the 2022 season at an average of 13, a massive feat for a player also still plying his trade in the under-19s.

The Nightcliff B-Grade team now have top spot in both the bowling and batting stars with Mansukh Singh showing as the season’s best bat so far with 480 runs to his name from nine innings.

From the same squad Smit Doshi is the season’s current best all-rounder holding fourth in runs at 423, and fourth in wickets taken with 20.

Connor Carroll dominates with the bat

TAKING a punt on a trip up north has more than paid off for explosive Palmerston batter Connor Carroll, who has made a significant climb up the NT News cricket rankings.

The 20-year-old from Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club passed up on the NT trip in 2021, but after hearing feedback from friends, ensured he came in 2022.

And after settling into the Top End heat, Carroll is loving the environment of a new competition and club.

“The pitches are a little bit different and the heat was a little bit to get used to at first,” Carroll said.

“Last year, unfortunately, I made the decision not to come up.

“However, a few of my Queensland mates did come up and they had an absolute blast.

“They thought it was really good for their career, development wise.

“I was a little disappointed I didn’t come and told myself I had to come this year.”

The Queenslander has been an instant standout for Palmerston with two hundreds and two fifties already to his name – making 333 runs at 66.6 in Premier Grade.

That’s already a significant step towards his personal goal of a 1000-run season, while his other aspirations include getting Palmerston into a T20 or two-day final.

“I’m having a bit of fun out in the middle which is always good,” Carroll said.

“I didn’t have the season I would have liked to in Brisbane, so I came to the NT with the mindset of just playing my normal game and not overthinking things.

“And with a friend we’ve been training almost every day and I think that’s really helped me when I’ve been out in the middle.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better club or a better bunch of blokes than I have at Palmy.

“I’m always looking forward to coming to training and playing with them.

“They’ve really welcomed me in, always good fun and always good to have a laugh with.”

Southern Districts’ Corey Kelly soars up the batting ranks

From over 1000 cricketers in the Darwin & District Cricket Competition, hard-hitting Southern Districts and former South Australian Redback allrounder Corey Kelly continues to climb in the NT News ranking system — based on statistics from the 2022 season.

And Kelly may not return to his native SA for the coming summer, too.

Kelly, 21, who scored a brilliant 59 off 37 balls against Darwin in the 50-over grand final on Sunday, was not included in the Redbacks’ 2022/23 squad due to “personal reasons”.

His fellow Crocs teammate, Sam Kerber, was also delisted.

The hard-hitting all-rounder, who blasted four stunning sixes at Marrara on Sunday, had been working casually with Districts recruit and former PINT premiership player Tim Garner and has no clear idea when he might return home.

Kelly told the NT News he stepped down from Redbacks duties after a decent discussion with general manager Tim Nielsen.

“I just wasn’t enjoying it as much as I thought I would to be honest with you,” Kelly said the day after Southern Districts beat Darwin by 107 runs at DXC Arena.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent committed to the training and it wasn’t fair on the other boys and the coaches.

“It ultimately came down to me deciding ... take a break from it, I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I should have been.”

Kelly admitted he was unsure if or when he might return to South Australia, saying “potentially” he could stay in the Territory beyond the Darwin & District Cricket Competition.

“It’s definitely in my head. I’ve got a few things going on down there as well,” he said.

“I haven’t made my decision yet.”

However, Kelly admitted he had learned to deal with pressure better and hoped he was not adrift from the Redbacks squad permanently.

“There’s probably as the same amount of pressure (on me) ... but in my own head I’m not putting as much on me now,” he said.

“Just enjoying it. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t it’s OK.

“Before I was so clearcut on making sure everything was going right.

“Hopefully it’s not forever. Hopefully I enjoy it and put a few good years (together).

“And if the chance comes up again and I’m feeling ready to go for it, I’ll take it.

“But it’s sitting pretty well with me, the decision.”

Kelly was also hoping to play in the Strike League which starts at the end of June.

“We’ll see how the body pulls up, it’s starting to get a few niggles and stuff,” he said.

“I’ll definitely be up here for the whole season.”

Southern Districts bowler Chris McEvoy takes hat-trick against PINT

From over 1000 cricketers in the Darwin & District Cricket Competition, Southern Districts bowler Chris McEvoy has jumped a few places in the NT News ranking system — based on statistics from the 2022 season.

But that’s not the only highlight to come from round seven for the former Queenslander: he took his second hat-trick in just his fourth season at Freds Pass.

McEvoy, who played the past two seasons in Premier Grade before being squeezed out in 2022 with the likes of South Australian Redback Sam Kerber joining the club, stepped up on Saturday against PINT with his “medium slow” bowling.

“The keeper’s up, mate, that’s how quick I’m bowling,” McEvoy told the NT News with a laugh.

It was the sport education co-ordinator’s second three-from-three after taking a hat-trick against Darwin in the 2019 B Grade semi-final.

However, on Saturday, McEvoy stepped up when his team needed him, triggering a collapse of 4/0 in five balls.

The visitors were 0/62 chasing Districts’ 8/153 when McEvoy had Joel Whelan caught at mid on by Mitchell Townsend, who would later take 3/30 himself.

He then bowled Brad Allen with a delivery which may have tailed in a touch before trapping Bilal Abbas leg before to complete his second hat-trick in less than four years.

McEvoy said it was a full ball which pitched on middle and hit Abbas on the back pad.

“We went up like it was plumb, I think it was out ... but I’ve definitely seen them not given,” McEvoy said, with PINT players having to umpire their own innings.

“Fair play to (the umpire), he gave it.”

It was almost four from four when an appeal for LBW was turned down first ball.

However, there were more fireworks to come when Patrick Keogh was run out from the first ball of Andrew Bourne’s next over.

“He actualled fielded it, it wasn't one where it just hit the fingers,” McEvoy said.

“He fielded it clean, then had a look, saw (Keogh) was out and flicked it back.”

Antum Naqvi finds consistency in his game through South Australian summer

From over 1000 cricketers in the Darwin & District Cricket Competition, Tracy Village bat Antum Naqvi is a clear stand out going by the NT News ranking system — based on statistics from the 2022 season.

And a move to South Australia last summer – and the guidance of a former international player – has provided the stability the 23-year-old was yearning for.

The Belgium-born batter, who is also a commercial pilot, bounced around three different New South Wales district clubs (Hawkesbury, Blacktown and Parramatta) in four years from the 2017/18 summer.

However, without a defined role his numbers struggled before a breakthrough season with Northern Districts in SACA Premier league in 2021/22.

He produced a bumper crop with 566 runs at an average of 40 across 15 games, with a highest score of 126 against Sturt – whose bowling attack included Southern Districts’ Corey Kelly – and a 97 against Tea Tree Gully.

He said he was blessed with opportunity and a defined role in the top six at Districts.

“At my previous clubs ... you’d show up and you’re batting three, then next week you might be batting six or seven, then the week after you might be opening,” Naqvi told the NT News.

“I was never defined a proper role.”

He said failures with Districts did not bring as much pressure as he was locked into a consistent position.

“All that stuff just helps you mentally,” Naqvi said, who arrived in Australia as a four-year-old.

“That’s definitely helped my batting, that's for sure.

“I just wasn’t getting the opportunities (in NSW).

“When I moved to Adelaide, I think that’s been the best move I’ve made.

Antum Naqvi made an even 100 against Waratah on Saturday. Picture: Felicity Elliott/NT Cricket.

“The club atmosphere is totally different to Sydney. It’s a really nice place.”

He also benefited from the guidance of former Australian batter Mark Cosgrove, who Naqvi met in the NT during the Cricket 365 program.

At Districts, “Cosi”, who played three one day internationals, instructed the 23-year-old to simply bat time.

“Just batting with Cosi, you learn heaps,” he said.

“He doesn’t train at all (now), but he comes in and smashes at least 50 to 100 with ease.

“He’s a gun, just batting with him I’ve learned a lot.”

Naqvi’s strong form has continued in five Premier Grade matches this season, stroking 328 runs at 82, including two 50s and two centuries: an even, unbeaten 100 against Waratah on Saturday and 109 against Nightcliff in round one on April 9.

He’s already closing in on last year’s efforts with Tracy Village: 363 runs at 33 including three fifties from 12 games.

Naqvi said he was trying to hit cricket balls every day of the week, while doing the odd bit of commercial flying.

“I’m completely focused on cricket,” he said.

“I fly around whenever I get a bit of free time for a bit of fun.”

Naqvi, who moved to Sydney in his mid-teens before returning to the Territory last season, now has plans to make it in the South Australian state team.