GPS First XI cricket rankings: Leading run scorers, wicket takers named ahead of round 4

Believe it or not, a young veteran of GPS First XV rugby is currently the leading wicket taker in First XI cricket. Ahead of round 4, check out the rankings for every batter and bowler in the competition here.

Terrace bowler George Hales GPS First XI cricket between Terrace and Ipswich Grammar School Saturday February 1, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Believe it or not, a fierce GPS First XV rugby scrumhalf from Gregory Terrace is currently the leading wicket taker in GPS First XI cricket.

Terrace The Brave’s George Hales, a right arm medium fast bowler, has taken 10 wickets at an average of 9.7 in three games this season to help his side to tied-second alongside Brisbane Boys’ College.

TSS batsman Jaxson Davies and Dushyant Thaman GPS First XI cricket between TSS and ACGS Saturday February 1, 2025. Picture, John Gass

The Southport School have their noses in front, although all three teams have lost a game. Brisbane State High have also won two games and are coming fourth.

Cricket is not Hales’ first sport however. He is in his element scheming from scrumhalf in rugby, where he has been prominent for the boys in red and black since arriving at the school for Year 5.

The First XV No. 9 jersey is his to lose this rugby season.

George Hales played for First XV rugby as a Year 10 student in 2023 and is aiming to play this third season of Firsts in 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“He’s a fierce competitor,” Gregory Terrace rugby director Tyron Mandrusiak concluded.

“He just loves to compete. He leads with his competitive edge. It’s always go, go, go and he’s your typical cheeky halfback.”

Hales’ competitive spirit was evident in round 1 when his team was bowled out by Ipswich Grammar for 84 runs. He launched a staunch defence of the total on the Internationals Oval to have a high-class Ipswich Grammar outfit all out for 77.

He finished with 6-28 from 10 overs and has remained a key figure in the team’s bowling attack. On the rugby field, he is a fast decision maker who loves to take the game head on.

In the classroom, Hales is an A student.

Brisbane Boys’ College during a break against Toowoomba Grammar School in round 1. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ipswich Grammar all-rounder Malachi Foster, who also had the distinction of taking six wickets in a match this season, is second among the competition’s leading wicket takers.

Foster’s left arm fast bowling will serve Ipswich Grammar well for the next two seasons and he is also a more than capable batter.

Christian Alexander fields for Brisbane Boys College (BBC) against Toowoomba Grammar School (TGS) in round 1. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BBC’s Christian Alexander and Ipswich Grammar’s Oscar Dioth are hot on the heels of Northsiders Cricket Club young gun Foster.

Ipswich batsman Oscar Dioth GPS First XI cricket between Terrace and Ipswich Grammar School Saturday February 1, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Another Ipswich Grammar student, batting opener Ryan Hines, is leaving his mark this season in what is shaping up as the tightest competition in years.

Hines has hit 134 runs at an average of 44.67 after he recorded a run-a-ball century in his school’s round 2 victory against Brisbane State High. Indeed he is the only one to reach triple figures in the early stages of the season.

Sunshine Coast product Zac Robinson has scored 101 runs at 33.67 for BBC while Terrace spin bowling all-rounder Theo Bacalakis has backed up a fine club season for University scoring 100 runs at 50.

BBC batsman Zac Robinson. Picture, John Gass

Bacalakis scored 467 at 46.7 during the Taverners under-17s summer season.

Theodore Bacalakis.

Another impressive slow bowling all-rounder, The Southport School’s Cam Sinfield, has got off to a strong start wielding the willow. He has accumulated 96 runs at 48 and his pressurising new-ball bowling has been an early season highlight for the Coast side.

Ipswich batsman Callum Pamenter and Ryan Weththasinghe GPS First XI cricket between Terrace and Ipswich Grammar School Saturday February 1, 2025. Picture, John Gass

In round 4, Churchie welcome Toowoomba Grammar to Main Oval, BBC host Nudgee College, Gregory Terrace play away at Brisbane Grammar and The Southport School will look to bounce back against Brisbane State High on the Village Green.

Originally published as GPS First XI cricket rankings: Leading run scorers, wicket takers named ahead of round 4