Sunshine Coast Scorchers under-16s standout players revealed

Sunshine Coast Scorchers under-16s head coach Blaine Schloss has lifted the lid on how his troops will try to defend their Bulls Masters Youth Cup title in Cairns.

Sunshine Coast Scorchers U16 Bulls Masters Youth Cup team.

Sunshine Coast Scorchers under-16s head coach and Maroochydore division one head captain Blaine Schloss has outlined the title defence blueprint for his young side ahead of the Bulls Masters Youth Cup in Cairns.

Matches will begin from Sunday December, 11 to Thursday December 15 as the Scorchers look to defend their 2021 title.

It was just the first time the Scorchers were involved in the competition, going through undefeated and beating out the host region, the Wide Bay Flames in the final.

The only other teams to have tasted success have been the Darling Downs Suns (2016, 2017, 2020), the Mackay/Whitsundays Nitros (2018) and the South East Queensland Stormers (2019).

Schloss, who is joined by team manager and prominent Sunshine Coast cricket figure Travis Schultz, said his squad of 12 were excited for the coming days.

“(The) majority of the team has been in a representative system for the past couple of seasons and a lot of the boys have been selected from their form at the representative level, club form in junior or senior competitions and also through the development of their game over the last couple of years,” he said.

“It’s really exciting for this great group of young men to get the opportunity to play in this competition.”

Sunshine Coast Scorchers with their mentor, Ben Laughlin celebrating their U16 Bulls Masters Youth Cup win in 2021.

Schloss said it was an exciting unknown for his players to test themselves against Queensland’s best.

“It’s an interesting dynamic for a lot of the guys because they haven't played a lot of these teams before with majority of them coming from Mackay and Far North Queensland,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for the guys to play against different players and also it’s always interesting to see how the different regions or different age groups vary in playing style.

“It’ll be a great opportunity for the boys to test themselves and the thing I look forward to is how well they’ll gel or mould together as a group.

“Obviously a lot of them have played plenty of cricket together but in an environment where they have to live together is always interesting.”

The Scorchers will play two T20 matches plus three 50-over matches before the winners of each pool will play off in a T20 grand final on Thursday night.

2022 Sunshine Coast Scorchers U16 Bulls Masters Youth Cup Team

Will Noffke (captain)

Role: Opening fast bowler, late-order hitter

Sunshine Coast Scorchers player Will Noffke.

Coach’s Comments: “Will is leading the team this year after a couple of big years in the Lord’s Taverners squad,” Schloss said.

“He brings raw pace with the new ball and offers some power hitting in the middle order which will be invaluable in the T20 format.”

Zane Jankowiak (wk)

Role: Top order bat, wicketkeeper

Nambour cricketer Zane Jankowiak.

Coach’s Comments: “Zane is a composed top order bat who is capable of grafting out big innings,” Schloss said.

“He has experience playing in the Division 1 local competition with Nambour and is a very accomplished wicket keeper.”

Lachlan Hardiker

Role: Opening bat

Sunshine Coast Scorchers young gun Lachlan Hardiker.

Coach’s Comments: “Lachlan has been a mainstay in the under-16 QJC team this year who were successful in their grand final last weekend,” Schloss said.

“He opened the batting during those fixtures and performed well in our practice game against the under-15 Schoolboys.

“Look for him to take the game on in the shorter format.”

Oliver Pitcher

Role: Opening bat

Coach’s Comments: “Oliver has been playing Division 2 and 3 for Nambour in the senior men’s competition this year along with under-17s,” Schloss said.

“His game has developed nicely over the last 18 months and we will be looking to him to get our innings started in a positive fashion in Cairns.”

Finn Mayo

Role: Right arm leg spin

Sunshine Coast Scorchers cricketer Finn Mayo.

Coach’s Comments: “Finn was the standout performer in our practice game against the under-15 Schoolboys side,” Schloss said.

“He took three wickets and was extremely economical, building pressure through his consistency.

“Spin always plays such a large role at junior carnivals, and we will be looking to Finn to bowl well through the middle overs and tie down the opposition.

“He is certainly one to look out for.”

Will Rabnott

Role: Right arm seamer

Coach’s Comments: “Will is a Maroochydore product who has so far had a strong season in the junior ranks,” Schloss said.

“This was highlighted with his 4/27 against Bears in the under-16 QJC competition.

“Will is capable of bowling at good pace and can swing the ball around.

“I’m tipping him to have a lot of success with the ball in Cairns.”

Ashton Schultz

Role: All-rounder, left arm seamer

Sunshine Coast cricketer Ashton Schultz.

Coach’s Comments: “Ashton is a very solid all-rounder who will play a key role for us during our time in Cairns,” Schloss said.

“He bowls handy left-arm seamers and is extremely consistent.

“We will look for Ashton to bowl well in partnerships during the middle overs and build pressure on the opposition.

“He is also an accomplished bat through the middle order and hits different areas of the field which can be a nightmare for the opposition.”

Damon Bass

Role: Top order bat

Coach’s Comments: “Damon has been a consistent figure in the highly successful Lord’s Taverners squad over the past two seasons and will bring invaluable experience with him,” Schloss said.

“He is a left-handed bat who builds innings nicely, and is capable of taking the game away from the opposition in a short period of time.

“He will be a key figure at the top of the order for us and is an absolute jet in the field.”

Zaden Melverton

Role: Left arm pace bowler

Sunshine Coast cricketer Zaden Melverton.

Coach’s Comments: “Zaden is an exciting talent, capable of bowling at good pace and swinging the ball around,” Schloss said.

“Having a left-armer such as Zaden opening the bowling is such an asset and he will give batsmen plenty of headaches in Cairns.

“Zaden is also a very handy bat and will be utilised in different positions depending on the format.”

Zac Robinson

Role: Top order bat

Sunshine Coast cricketer Zac Robinson.

Coaches Comments: “Zac will be one of our key batters during this competition,” Schloss said.

“He excels in both the 50-over and T20 format and we will be looking to him to play a key role in us building big totals throughout the week.

“Zac knows how to build an innings but is also capable of going through the gears and finding the boundary.

“He has had a big year with Maroochydore in the senior competition so far.”

Aidan Cushan

Role: Left arm swing bowler

Sunshine Coast cricketer Aidan Cushan in action.

Coach’s Comments: “Similar to Zaden, Aidan is also such an asset to us being another left-armer who can swing the ball both ways,” Schloss said.

“Aidan is an absolute competitor who will also prove a handful for opposition batters in Cairns.

“He provides great energy in the field and will be one of the leaders of our bowling attack.”

Clancy Young

Role: All-rounder

Coach’s Comments: “Clancy is a late-addition to the team after an injury forced another member out,” Schloss said.

“He plays his cricket with Cooroy-Eumundi in the local competition and has been featuring in their Division 3 and under-17 teams.

“He will be a valuable contributor for us with both bat and ball in Cairns, and is an excellent mover in the field.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Scorchers under-16s standout players revealed