Revealed: Warwick’s next generation of cricket guns ahead of a big summer of shield clashes

With the Davis and Mitchell Shield representative competitions fast approaching this summer, take a look inside the details of Warwick’s finest young cricketers and their standout talents. See the full List:

Members of the u21 Warwick Cricket Club at Slade Park (Photo: Graham Bourke)

With a long summer of cricket action approaching for the U21 and open Warwick sides, the key playmakers have been revealed ahead of the shield clashes.

The U21 team will compete in the Davis Shield, and the open team will be competing for Mitchell Shield glory.

Warwick has been a long standing hotspot of cricket, but it’s the youth grade clubs providing rising talent which will surely stun.

Warwick cricket is in the safe hands of the next generation, who are making waves in the region and across Queensland, from playing for the hometown team or playing in the Brisbane Premier League.

The U21 Warwick side are dominant in shield clashes due to their focus on mentoring the younger players that come through the ranks, and it shows in their five shield wins in the last six years.

Senior Warwick cricket president Andrew Bryson said the mentoring process of having older players regularly training and playing with the U21 side has been very successful.

“The mentoring pathway has transitioned some of the younger players from the Davis Shield to growing and eventually playing Mitchell Shield, who probably didn’t have many opportunities to play in a junior representative side, and they can say ‘look, I made a rep side,’” Bryson said.

“Ultimately it gives them more ownership and feel like they’re a part of the association, and want to be a part of it, not just playing but also assisting with running the organisation.

“It’s a real pat on the back for some of those younger kids, and grows their confidence and inspires them to strive for playing in higher levels of cricket.”

See the key players to watch out for from the U21 Warwick side below:

The U21 Warwick Bulls after taking home the Davis Shield in the 2021-22 series L-R – Jessie Bohm, Pat Gordon, Joe Wagner, James Fern, Alex Dwan, Lachlan Boal, Luke Cullen (C), Jack Ragh, Marc Wagner, Hayden Doherty, Sean Bryson, Harry Sandhu (Photo: Andrew Bryson/ Warwick Cricket)

Hayden Doherty – opening batsman

Doherty is a key player for Wheatvale cricket side, serving as opening batsman and wicket keeper for both Wheatvale and the Warwick U21 side. He as scored centuries at club level and is a highly determined batsmen.

Morgan Bourke – batsman

Bourke plays for the Warwick Colts, as well as Marlins in the 2022 U18 Brisbane Premier League and plays as opening bowler for Darling Downs representative side. He is also opening bowler for Marlins in the BPL, but prefers being an opening batsmen when he plays with Warwick. Bourke currently boards at Nudgee College, and is a member of the Nudgee 1st XI, preferring to fast bowl with the side.

Jack Ragh – bowler

Deadly on the pitch with his left arm bowl, the Scots PGC student is also a handy middle-order batsman. Ragh is very capable and confident stepping up to the plate and a very versatile member of the squad. He also plays with Western Power in the BPL.

John Cleary – bowler

Cleary is the Warwick Mitchell Shield and the U21 side captain and brings experience to the team and leadership. He’s an opening bowler who is very fast and a very solid batsman as well. A hard hitter on the field, he has played for South Queensland Country, representing the region. He is rated as one the best cricketers in Darling Downs and is a solid and reliable addition to any team he is on. Cleary plays for Colts locally in Warwick.

Riley Doherty – bowler

This Wheatvale cricketer and has taken a crazy five wicket hauls in one game in the Warwick competition, making him a skilled bowler ahead of his years. Doherty’s bowling is lethal and leaves no prisoners, and he is known as one of the top spin bowlers in Warwick.

Rory Farrell – bowler

Farrell plays for the Darling Downs representative side and leaves the batsman stunned with his off spin bowling prowess. Currently a Scots student. He is a very classy left-handed batsman as well that is capable of making plenty of runs. He currently plays in BPL and plays for Maryvale locally.

James Fern – bowler

Nicknamed “Bush”, Fern plays for Colts and the U21 Warwick side. He has played a fair amount of representative cricket in his time and taken a lot of wickets through his career at various levels. Fern is a fast swing bowler with plenty of prowess on the pitch.

Percy Kruger – all rounder

This talented all rounder has taken a lot of wickets in his time playing for Maryvale and Warwick U21s. He’s a very solid swing bowler and reliable on the field whenever he plays due to his incredible accuracy. Kruger is also a handy batsman when he is called up in a pinch and can adapt to any circumstance easily and excel.

Seth Esson – batsman

Esson is a very talented batsman that made a lot high scores during play, and is a very enthusiastic cricketer who by all accounts has a big future in Warwick cricket.

Alex Dwan – bowler

The 21-year-old fast bowler is one of Warwick’s top quick bowlers and has taken plenty of wickets during the last season. Dwan plays for Redbacks club locally and is a handy batsman when called up.

Jacob Meddelton – bowler

Meddleton is a precise left-arm fast bowler. By all accounts he has a big future with his accurate but fast bowling capability and will play a lot of representative cricket in the future.

Originally published as Revealed: Warwick’s next generation of cricket guns ahead of a big summer of shield clashes