Ranking every Sunshine Coast batter and bowler for 22/23 season

The Sunshine Coast cricket season is nearing a close with Coolum women’s and Caloundra U17s picking up premierships as the final player rankings of the summer are revealed.

Sunshine Coast’s leading cricketers Luke McInnes (Maroochydore), Jared Sippel (Gympie), Kim Howden (Glasshouse) and Glen Batticciotto (Caboolture).

The Sunshine Coast Daily has compiled the statistics of all 2256 batters and all 1889 bowlers from the junior and senior divisions by runs scored and wickets taken this season.

With the regular season coming to a close in the senior men’s divisions it’s former Queensland Bulls star Glen Batticciotto in top spot ahead of Nambour’s Steven Ledger and Tewantin-Noosa’s Ben Laughlin.

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Credit to Maroochydore junior Daniel Desmet who finished in sixth on the overall rankings with 685 runs from just nine innings.

In the bowling department it’s sixth grade champion Patrick Lawson from Caboolture who leads first grade front runners Luke McInnes (Maroochydore) and Preston White (Caboolture) finish with 51 wickets each.

A special mention goes to Caloundra women’s cricketer Ricki Irwin who topped the bowling tally and Kim Howden from Glasshouse who finished at the top of the batting rankings.

In the junior competition bowling ranks it was Euan Gibson from Maroochydore with 20 wickets from 48 overs.

Scroll down for full list and use the search bar to compare how you rank, against your mates, your clubmates and how you rate in your grade >>

Caloundra juniors claim historic premiership victory (Round 21)

A fairytale season has come to a close for the Caloundra under-17s following their undefeated grand final win over Maroochydore.

After scoring the most runs and losing the least wickets of all teams in the regular season, Caloundra hosted second place Maroochydore at Roy Henzell Park on March 5.

Opting to bat first, head coach David Hill said it was a nervous innings break with the boys returning to the sheds after losing 10 wickets for 110 runs.

“I absolutely knew we could defend it but also knew we’d have to be at our absolute best, especially against Maroochydore who are a quality team and a quality club all round,” he said.

“I’m lucky to have such a strong group so the chat was to just stick to our plan and we also knew batting second in a final is always tough.

“We knew if we could get a bit of a roll on the pressure would build.”

Maroochydore clawed their way to 96 but it wasn’t enough with Caloundra captain Will Noffke, son of former Australian cricket star Ash, picking up the final wicket.

Hill said he was proud of his team’s performance.

“It’s a massive effort from the entire team to stick together throughout the year and even in the grand final we didn’t play as well as we’d like too but the boys really stepped up and just found a way,” he said.

In the under-17 division it was batsman Saxon Maidment and Elias Cottrell at the top of the rankings while Hunter Peters and Marshall White finished in tied second on the bowling leaderboard.

“It’s a credit to those four players who couldn't have done it without the support of their teammates,” Hill said.

“The whole team contributed at some point during the year and different players really stepped up when we needed them to.”

Caloundra U17s celebrate their undefeated 2023 premiership. Picture: Facebook

Hill said it was a fitting end for his side, with majority beginning as junior players at Caloundra and would now progress to the senior grades full-time next season.

He thanked the support of the players, parents and the club for helping them achieve this outcome.

Gympie star takes five wicket haul following a season on the sidelines (Round 19)

Gympie cricket star Jared Sippel has given his side a well needed boost before finals producing a masterclass with the ball in hand.

Sippel, who only returned to the side in round 18 after picking up a left medial meniscus tear in pre-season, finished the match against Caloundra with 5/13 from 12 overs.

After scoring 284 with the bat, Gympie narrowly missed sealing fourth spot by one wicket as Caloundra hung on at 9/153 to block the visitors’ outright hopes.

Sippel said his team was in a good position before they round out the regular season against top of the table Maroochydore and second placed Caboolture.

“The pitch was pretty flat, we went well with the bat and had them 4/40 in the first innings so we went close to getting an outright result but just couldn’t get there in the end,” he said.

“The win keeps us going in that number four spot so hopefully we can continue to perform.

“Our boys will always be up for it so these final rounds are matches we’re looking forward to as good tests before finals.”

Gympie star Jared Sippel in action in the Bendigo Big Bash competition. Picture: Contributed.

The five wicket performance was the right arm off-spinners career best figures.

“It was nice to get a few wickets again, I haven‘t really bowled much over the past few years so it was good to get a few poles,” he said.

“I didn’t do anything different or special, I was just trying to get back into it all through simple planning and it worked.”

Sippel’s on-field heroics wasn’t the only standout performance in round 19 with a number of first grade players producing top-level efforts.

With the bat it was Maroochydore‘s Blaine Schloss scoring 195, Tewantin-Noosa’s Lewis Waugh 130* and Ben Claypole 106*, Caboolture’s Cameron Trask 101* and Glen Batticciotto 96 and Coolum’s Sam Curtis 84*.

With the ball in hand it was Caboolture‘s John Flew who recorded 5/30 from 12.1 overs and Caloundra’s Matthew Tebb who picked up 5/81 from 21 overs.

Leading Maroochydore paceman claims six-wicket haul ahead of finals (Round 18)

Maroochydore Swans’ leading bowler Luke McInnes is hoping to continue his solid form ahead of finals after taking six wickets in round 18.

The medium pace star finished the first innings with figures of 6/26, picking up 11 maidens from 23.2 overs.

The 26-year-old, who received the Ashley Noffke Medal in the 2020/21 season, said he was happy with his performance.

“Yeah I was pretty happy, five wicket hauls don’t come around often so to get six you can say I was stoked,” he said.

“I think I was more patient and consistent with my bowling and good field sets from the skipper, Blaine Schloss.”

Maroochydore's Luke McInnes (centre) in action. Picture: Patrick Woods

The Swans currently sit in first place with 15 wins, two losses and one draw.

McInnes, who has been playing for the Swans for 19 years, said he was happy with how his game has developed since breaking into the first division team in 2018.

“I had to work pretty hard in the lower grades and after a few injury setbacks to get to where I am now, I’m definitely pretty proud,” he said.

“It also helps when you enjoy turning up to training and early starts on Saturday mornings when you play with a good group of boys.

“Since we all have a winning mentality we all push each other to get better which has probably helped me to get better and to the point I’m at today.”

He said he had no major intentions of breaking into the Sunshine Coast Scorchers system anytime soon.

“I’m pretty happy doing what I’m doing, I just enjoy this group of boys and the club,” he said.

“It feels like home since I’ve been a part of this club for so long.”

Opening Glasshouse batsman starting to find his groove (Round 17)

Glasshouse division one all-rounder Ricky Sawyer is helping his side climb the ladder ahead of finals after taking 11 wickets in his past two bowling innings.

With figures of 6/66 from 19.2 overs in round 17 and 5/18 from 7.2 overs in round 14, the 24-year-old slot in at number 22 on our rankings.

Sawyer, who also opens the batting, said he was proud of his efforts.

“It’s the best figures I can remember so it was good but probably better that we won to be honest,” he said.

“I think a bit of luck is the main part of it, I’m bowling pies and getting some wickets.

“I was honestly just trying to bowl what I could and what I normally do so I reckon the batsman stuffed up more than I did I guess.

“I didn’t think I did anything too special, probably bowling pies really.”

Glasshouse cricketer Ricky Sawyer.

Glasshouse went on to win the match over Nambour, with both sides scoring upwards of 380 runs in the first innings.

Glasshouse’s top scorers included Sawyer (71), Jeremy Schultz (69*) and Nathan Van Eekeren (72) while leading batsman Steven Ledger finished with 195 off 153 balls for Nambour.

Sawyer, who bowls off-spin, said he was most proud of getting the nod to bowl despite the strong bowling attack.

“It’s the most I’ve ever bowled in a season so given we have a decent bowling attack I don’t get the chance that often but when I do I just try to enjoy it the best I can,” he said.

The plasterer by trade joins Tewantin-Noosa’s Ben Laughlin as the only other senior player to take six wickets in an innings this season while teammate Van Eekeren stands alone after his seven wicket haul in round 15.

Maroochydore junior cements himself as a future star with stellar season performances (Round 16)

Junior Sunshine Coast cricketer Daniel Desmet is making a well-earned name for himself with scores of 50, 58, 30, 101*, 53*, 173* and 62 from his opening seven innings of the season.

Desmet, who is averaging 131.75 from 527 total runs scored, is 13-years-old but plays up in the under 15 A division for Maroochydore.

He said he was proud of his efforts this season.

“It’s been a really good season,” he said.

“I’m playing in the U15s because I kind of wanted to keep pushing myself and playing a higher level of cricket to make sure I’m giving myself the best opportunity.”

Maroochydore cricket player Daniel Desmet. Picture: Contributed

The Kawana Waters State College student has been playing cricket for Maroochydore since 2018 after relocating with his family from South Africa.

Desmet had also represented the Maroochydore senior division two and three sides this season.

“I haven’t been performing the best in the seniors but I’ve found it’s been a really good learning experience,” he said.

“It’s helping me learn my game a bit more and learn my craft a bit better at a higher level.”

The self described aggressive and focused left handed batsman has also hit 54 fours and 23 sixes this season.

He said his increased training had been key to his success with the bat.

“In winter I’ll play warehouse cricket which is a longer form and I really find I learn my craft a bit more,” he said.

“I’m also getting down to the nets more and more to make sure I’m familiar with my batting and that I know what I’m doing.

Maroochydore cricketer Daniel Desmet representing the Sunshine Coast Scorchers.

He said he enjoyed cricket for many reasons.

“I’d say I most enjoy the small little battles that come with cricket,” he said.

“If there’s a tough bowler you kind of get to dig in and you get that satisfaction of being there at the end and obviously the success adds to the joy and fun.

“I love being in the competition and you’re never really out of the game whether you’re bowling, batting or in the field you can make it enjoyable.”

Half century brings up maiden club record for Glasshouse women’s captain (Round 16)

Glasshouse division one women’s captain Kim Howden has broken through to be the clubs first player to score more than 500 runs in just 26 innings.

The 52-year-old, who began playing for Glasshouse in 2019 when the club’s first women’s team was entered into the competition, brought up her third career half century against Cooroy-Eumundi on December 11 at home.

Howden said she was proud of her efforts.

“That’s my second 50 of the season and you have to retire once you hit 50 runs so it was pretty cool,” she said.

“I didn’t know about the 500 career runs but that’s pretty exciting for an old girl and I can’t wait to tell my kids.”

Glasshouse Cricket women's captain Kim Howden.

Howden has recorded 579 runs, nine not outs and an average of 34.06 from 26 innings.

She said she began playing the sport through her daughter, Breanne Howden.

“I’d played indoor cricket before and a game called vigoro when I was a kid so I got involved through my daughter and now we play in the same team,” she said.

“I absolutely love it because we also play touch football together, have played softball together and next winter we’re thinking about playing Aussie rules.

“It’s exciting that we can share our highs and sometimes our lows together.”

She said if anyone was wanting to get involved in women’s cricket on the Sunshine Coast they should give it a go.

“It’s a very friendly game in the women’s competition and we have over 3o women that play at Glasshouse across our three teams,” she said.

“That’s the most female players on the Sunshine Coast which ranges from teenagers to ladies like myself in their 50s so it really is a great game for everyone.”

Caboolture claim premiership honours but remain hungry for two-day title (Round 15)

In typical summer afternoon cricket fashion an early storm helped crown Caboolture the Division 1, One-Day premiership champions against Maroochydore on DLS calculation.

Maroochydore batted first at John Blanck Oval on Sunday, November 27 but a loss of early wickets meant they finished their innings 8/184.

Top run scorers went to captain Blaine Schloss with 81 runs from 106 balls and Danyan Stewart who scored 55 from 84 deliveries.

Caboolture captain John Flew said he was proud of his team's effort in the field.

“I think we just bowled to our plan really well and for once we took those 50/50 catches,” he said.

“Those half chances stuck, the boys positioned themselves and anticipated the deliveries really.”

Caboolture's division one men's team celebrate their victory over Maroochydore in the 2022/23 one day final. Picture: Facebook.

Flew, who finished with bowling figures of 2/25 from 10 overs, said it was an interesting team talk at the innings break.

“We did know the storm was coming and I was looking around for a reliable calculator for the Duckworth – Lewis – Stern method but we sort of knew that if we could go at four runs an over we would be ahead,” he said.

“We didn’t need to take a lot of risks, the wicket was playing well and you get good value for your shots on John Blanck so we pride ourselves on taking those singles and putting the pressure back on those fielders which we were even a little bit reluctant doing with Maroochydore.

“Jacksons Mills got us going with Jackson ‘Tex’ Simpson and once the ball got older it was good to have Tom Rowley, who is a smart cricketer, out in the middle to keep us ticking over and guiding Tex as well,” he said.

Simpson finished with 46 runs from 95 deliveries with Rowley scoring 31 from 53.

Flew said some of the Maroochydore players were initially reluctant to help with the covers until they realised they were behind.

“They were chirping a bit because if it’s lightning everyone’s supposed to just get straight off the field but I said well you might want to help because we’re ahead and you blokes will want to get back on which is when they helped out,” he said.

“The umpires got it together and said play couldn’t get going until 5.50pm which soon after Blaine admitted it was unlikely we’d get back on.

At the 30 over mark, the Snakes were five runs ahead on the DLS calculation at 3/99, resulting in Caboolture’s 14th One-Day Trophy in the past 28 years.

“It’s a bit of a weird victory when you don’t get to see the winning runs or wicket but we still celebrated just as hard afterwards anyway,” Flew said.

Flew said it was a major achievement after three runner up performances in the last three years.

“We’ve been there or thereabouts in the last few years but we’ve got some young guys like Tex and Carter Simpson in our team who have been around our group since they were in nappies because of their old man Clayton Simpson so really good for all of us but especially those two who played really well,” he said.

“The one-day trophy and the T20 is a good boost throughout the season obviously the two-day competition is the main one.

“That’s what everyone is out to win, it’s a culmination of all the formats, all the hard work and it’s what you give your time up for so that’s what it’s all about.”

Coffin rises from the hospital bed to score milestone double ton (Round 15)

Caboolture cricketer Jayden Coffin (left) and Peter Coffin.

Lifting the trophy wasn’t the only milestone for Caboolture in round 15 with second division cricketer Jayden Coffin returning from two knee reconstructions in the past two seasons to record his first ever double ton.

The 25-year-old opened the batting against Nambour in the first of the two-day matches and finished with 200 runs from 194 deliveries.

“I was pretty stoked, it was pretty surreal,” he said.

“Once I hit 200 on the dot I was pretty buggered after 70 something overs and only my second game back following my two ACL injuries in the past two years.”

Coffin hit 30 fours and seven sixes in his 279 minute stint.

“It was tough going at the start, I think myself and Clayton (Simpson) only scored 30 odd runs in the first hour and a half and they bowled really well,” he said.

“Once the pitch dried out a little bit and we got going it was pretty true so full credit to the boys.”

Coffin, who has played for Caboolture since under 11s and represented the division one side from 2015 to 2021, said he always hoped to return to the game.

“I was pretty hungry to get back, I’ve trained, rehabbed and worked really hard this off season because it would’ve been about eight months ago I had my second reconstruction,” he said.

“I wanted to try and get back into the division one side but it wasn’t to be with my injury.”

Nambour crowned home deck heroes with impressive all round threats (Round 13)

It was smiles for Nambour in round 13 after a dominant first innings win over Coolum at home.

Coolum opened the batting before rising leg spinner Jatinder Singh was welcomed into the bowling attack and finished with a five-wicket haul.

Singh’s 5/54 off 10 overs helped restrict Coolum to just 206 runs.

The registered nurse who is only in his second season with Nambour said he was very proud of his performance.

“I started not the best as in my first over I got hit for four fours so I was pretty frustrated but I quickly got my line and length back and started bowling patiently,” he said.

“I’m very proud to end the day with those figures but you can always be better.”

Nambour Cricket Club's Division 1 men's team. Picture: Facebook.

The 26-year-old who missed the opening rounds of the season due to a shoulder injury said he had been enjoying his time with the club and was eager to play Maroochydore in the coming weeks.

“Nambour is full of really good blokes and I’d love to keep playing with them,” he said.

“I wasn’t at full strength the last time we played Maroochydore but they’re always a good test and it’s a match I’m looking forward to.”

Nambour president Steven Ledger was the hero in the batting department scoring 151 from 80 deliveries.

“It’s always nice to get a few runs and contribute to a good team win,” he said.

“Our curator Kyle Hawkins has been bringing up some beautiful wickets but it’s been the away teams scoring the runs lately so it was nice we could get some for a change.

“Jatinder’s a big asset to our team and he bowled really well given the wicket has been conducive for batting so it was great for our bowlers to limit their score.”

Ledger said he was proud of the efforts from both junior and senior Nambour players in round 13 with Cian O’Shea scoring his first senior 100, Karl Tollner on his first 50 for the club and Nathan Guild’s 63.

“I was super stoked for Cian O’Shea, he’s been chipping away the last few years as he’s a really good young talented player and was really good to get that score,” he said.

“A few guys down the grades to score as well is always nice to see them playing well and enjoying their cricket.”

Gympie captain leads the way to club record partnership with maiden ton (Round 11)

An early season injury to Gympie captain Jared Sippel has provided wicketkeeper and opening batsman Trent Riddell the tools to take his game to the next level with a maiden century in Gympie’s round 11 win over Glasshouse.

In the process, Riddell’s 123 runs from 127 balls alongside president Danny Shepperson who scored 93 not out, helped set a new club record opening partnership of 209.

The 22-year-old, who bats as a right hander and has been playing cricket since he was twelve years old, said he was proud of his performance.

“It’s pretty good, I feel like it’s been a long time coming or at least that’s what people are telling me but it was good to finally get a big score,” he said.

“It was quite warm out there but Danny was great too and to set a new club record is pretty cool.”

Gympie cricket captain Trent Riddell in action. Pictures: Contributed.

The keen touch football player said he had enjoyed the highs and lows of captaincy this season.

“I’ve come into the season just trying to be a bit more level headed,” he said.

“I was kind of shoved into being captain so I’ve now got to try and steer the ship but I feel like if I score or bat with time and produce, I put the team in a pretty good position.

“I’m enjoying the extra challenge that comes with captaincy, it’s pretty stressful but I think it’s probably bringing the best out of me.”

Riddell said he hoped his team could make a push for the top half of the table

“With the squad we’ve got the aim is to just make finals,” he said.

“We’ve got a pretty young side so it’d be good to make that top four and get a run with the big boys at the end of the season.”

New junior Glasshouse recruit impresses with the willow (Round 9)

Glasshouse junior Angus Goves has stamped his feet on the under 15a division with opening scores of 47 and 103* against USC in round one.

Goves, who bats at three as a right-hander, is just three runs off his last season total of 153 runs from 11 innings.

“I’m very proud especially because I didn’t bat amazingly last season, (so) this is now a great way to start the season,” Goves said.

“I did a little bit of training in winter, just hitting some balls at home in the garage, but mainly just took a break from cricket and just came back wanting to enjoy it.”

Glasshouse junior cricketer Angus Goves.

The rising youngster hit a total of 19 boundaries in his two stints at the crease and has rocketed into the top 20 on our rankings.

The talented touch football player, who recently represented the Sunshine Coast at the Youth National Championships, said his best attributes were his patience and precision in front of the stumps.

“I’d say I have good shot selection because I’m on the smaller side in terms of height and stuff so I don’t go hitting sixes every couple of balls but definitely more shot selection and finding those gaps,” he said.

Goves said he hoped to continue his form in coming weeks.

“It would be awesome to win the grand final but there’s some good quality teams in our division so really to just win a couple, maybe lose a couple and have some fun playing would be good and if we take it all the way then that’s a bonus,” he said.

Originally published as Ranking every Sunshine Coast batter and bowler for 22/23 season