The top 45 juniors and emerging talents of the 2025 Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition
From strike bowlers to dependable all-rounders, junior cricketers are making their presence felt in the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition. SEE THE FULL LIST OF 40+ STARS.
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A wave of emerging talent has been lighting up the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition in 2025.
From Southern Districts’ bowling phenom Eli Hayward, who’s already taken 28 poles, to Tracy Village’s dependable all-rounder Rydah Watts, the next generation is making its mark.
We’ve run the ruler over the competition and uncovered the top 45 juniors in the league.
See who made the list below:
TYE JENNINGS (Waratah)
Age: 14
Skill: All-rounder
Info: One of the most talented juniors in the entire competition, Jennings is a triple threat. Consistently among the top performers come the end of year awards, Jennings boasts the ability to flick through the gears when required with bat in hand, anywhere in the order. He can take wickets if needed and is a demon in the field.
SERGIO BERNO (Southern Districts)
Age: U12
Skill: All-rounder
Info: An emerging junior who can do it all, Berno has ripped through his opponents with the Kookaburra. Berno has taken 20 poles at a mesmerising 2.85, with his worst outing figures of 1/10. Berno is also a super reliable batter and very capable fielder.
ETHAN MCKENZIE (Palmerston)
Age: U18
Skill: All-rounder
Info: Top of the wickets tally (14) and sitting third in the batting charts, McKenzie is described as a “great all round player”. Normally batting at first drop, you can always back him scoring a handful at a sharp rate of knots, currently averaging 38.6.
LACHLAN BOWMAN (Tracy Village)
Age: U12
Skill: All-rounder
Info: Putting together a breakout season, the youngster has been on fire. A player whose performances have been “consistently impressive”, he has caught the eye, labelled a “a cricketer with strong potential and a bright future ahead.” Presently Bowman sits second in runs scored as well as wickets taken.
RITHUN RAMANAN (Waratah)
Age: 14
Skill: All-rounder
Info: The leading run scorer in the U15 season last year (511 runs at 85.17), Ramanan is a right-handed batting all-rounder. Ramanan recently took a hat-trick at the U15 National’s, dismissing SA’s top three.
AZLAN ABRO (Tracy Village)
Age: U12
Skill: Batter
Info: Penned as a quiet achiever, the Villager has impressed in 2025. Sitting ninth in the run scorers ladder, Abro is described as a “steady” runs scorer and a “dependable performer with a growing presence on the team”.
HARVEY MCCORMICK (Waratah)
Age: 14
Skill: Batting All-rounder
Info: An all-rounder through and through, the left-handed bat is capable of batting up and down the order, and can trundle out 10 overs of offies if required. After an injury sidelined him last season, he’s rebounded in style and is currently ranked 15th overall in the B-grade wicket tally. To date he’s scored four 50s in seven innings and is averaging a whopping 148.
ELISHA HALVORSEN (PINT)
Age: 15
Skill: Bowler
Info: A super economical bowler that’s an ever-present wicket taking threat, Halvorsen has taken eight wickets from nine matches at 11.75.
THISEN PERERA (Waratah)
Age: 10
Skill: All-rounder
Info: The youngster is an all-rounder that’s an “emerging talent” in his age group. At the present he’s number one in the run scoring and the 14th ranked wicket taker in the U12 competition.
BRAYDEN MCLAY (Nightcliff)
Age: U15
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: The left-arm quick has been impressing the den this season with his efforts with the ball and in the field. Having made his senior grade debut last year at 13 years old, the Tiger has been spending his time in U15 and D-grade this season. McLay has taken 10 wickets, five catches and a run-out to date.
RYDAH WATTS (Tracy Village)
Age: U12
Skill: All-rounder
Info: The consummate teammate, Watts has continued to impress the Village through her energy and work ethic. Always one to support her fellow players, she brings “enthusiasm” and a “positive mindset” to every match and training session, making her a very “valuable asset” to her team.
TYE BEER (Tracy Village)
Age: U15
Skill: Bowling All-rounder
Info: Recently making the U15 School Sport Australia All Australian side, Beer has been on fire in 2025. The left-arm off-spinner and handy bat has taken 19 wickets and scored 181 runs on top of his nine catches across all grades.
HARVEY CLAYTON (Tracy Village)
Age: U12
Skill: Batting All-rounder
Info: Clayton has earned a reputation as a power hitter this season with some incredible knocks at the crease. Most notably, Clayton currently tops the boundaries tally, 50s tally and is third in the runs scored aggregate. Clayton’s score of 86 (75 balls) took the competition by storm, earning praise across the league.
LUCAS NIXON (Tracy Village)
Age: U15
Skill: Wicketkeeper-Batter / All-rounder
Info: A player that is the epitome of a utility, the Villager can do it all. Whether he’s batting in the middle, behind the stumps or throwing down half a dozen overs, he’s the ultimate team player. Nixon has a “formidable presence” behind the stumps and is a leader that steers his side with a level-headed, fiercely competitive approach.
NOAH MACDONALD (PINT)
Age: 16
Skill: Batter
Info: An opener who frequently finds himself anywhere in the order, MacDonald has cemented his spot in PINT’s first XI this season. MacDonald has scored 326 runs this season at an average of 20.38.
HARRY TREGLOAN (PINT)
Age: 13
Skill: All-rounder
Info: The opening bat and crafty bowler is currently compiling one of the best individual seasons in the DDCC competition. Another youngster that’s been handed the role of captain (U15), Tregloan is averaging 28.09 with the willow (309 runs) and 15.44 with the ball (18 wickets).
LIAM KITCHING (Tracy Village)
Age: U12
Skill: All-rounder
Info: Known for his “quality” with the bat and having found some “rhythm” this season, Kitching is proving to be a proper all-rounder. As it stands Kitching boasts a high score of 41 (17 balls) and best figures of 2/6 this season.
TATHIRA WIJEGUNARATHNA (PINT)
Age: 13
Skill: Bowling All-rounder
Info: Whether it’s in the U15 competition or D-grade, the teen has impressed the PINT fraternity this season. Wijegunarathna has scored 176 runs to date, taken 13 wickets with best figures of 4/9, six catches and three run-outs.
JORDI O’TOOLE (PINT)
Age: 14
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: One of Darwin’s brightest junior female stars, O’Toole has been a menace with the Kookaburra. O’Toole has taken scalps in U15, U18 and Women’s Div 1 this season and is currently PINT’s (Div 1) spearhead in attack. Boasting 20 wickets in 22 matches (14 in Div 1) and with best figures of 5/23, O’Toole is in the midst of her best season to date.
ARLO EVERETT (Waratah)
Age: 15
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: Already boasting a 30 plus wicket season, the right-arm fast-medium has continued to elevate his game this season. So far he has taken 17 wickets across all competitions in 2025.
HEIDI SHOLZ (Tracy Village)
Age: U12
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: The new Villager has made a name for herself this season, already earning a call up to Tracy’s Women’s Div 2 side. The youngster has taken 10 wickets in 11 matches and is “always alert” in the field, keeping her teammates on their toes.
MITHURU PERERA (Waratah)
Age: 17
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: Currently taking a break from the sport to focus on Year 12, Perera has been coined as a teen with “huge potential”. Perera has shown is ability on the national stage, with a 4/44 against NSW (U17) highlighting his potential.
YASH PANCAL (Palmerston)
Age: U15
Skill: Batting All-rounder
Info: Averaging 98.5 with the bat and with 11 wickets (4/4 best figures) in eight matches to his name, Panchal is in the midst of a season to remember. He has been described as a “great” cricketer who can do it with both “bat and ball”.
ABBIE HALVORSEN (PINT)
Age: 14
Skill: Bowler
Info: A tidy bowler that’s always good for a minimum of one wicket per match, Halvorsen has already surpassed her wickets tally from last season, with nine at 14.22 from 10 matches.
JACK EVANS (Nightcliff)
Age: U15
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: The left-arm quick has been elevated to C-grade this season after impressing in Sunday league last year. With 18 wickets to his name from 17 matches, Evans’ crowning moment came early this season as he took a hat-trick – all bowled for golden ducks – to end with figures of 3/13 from five overs.
FLYNN ALLISON (Nightcliff)
Age: U15
Skill: Batter
Info: Part of 2024’s Darwin School Sports 12 and under side, the Tiger has impressed with the willow in Nightcliff’s U15 Blue. The top order player is currently averaging 15.8 from seven innings.
BILLY O’TOOLE (PINT)
Age: 15
Skill: Bowling All-rounder
Info: A bowling all-rounder and one of the best young fielders in the Top End, O’Toole is an ever present threat, whoever his opponent. A wise cricketer that’s PINT’s current U18 captain, O’Toole has taken 18 poles to date and averaged 20.11 with the bat.
DONNY PERRY (Nightcliff)
Age: U12
Skill: Batting All-rounder
Info: An emerging talent in the Tigers’ ranks, Perry has been on fire in 2025. With seven not-out innings’ from seven for 122 total runs, and five scalps at 8.8, plus eight run-outs and two catches, Perry is certainly one to watch.
JACK DUNKERTON (Palmerston)
Age: U15
Skill: Wicketkeeper-Batter
Info: A “great all round cricketer”, Dunkerton is another youngster that can do a bit of everything. Solid behind the stumps and capable of trundling out a few overs, his main skill is with the willow. A top order bat, he’s averaging 25.86.
ELEANOR HALLETT (Nightcliff)
Age: U12
Skill: All-rounder
Info: In her second season of junior cricket, the Tiger has really developed as a threat with the ball. Hallet has taken six poles with best figures of 2/1, made six run-outs, and scored 46 runs, leading her team across all three facets.
BEN KING (Palmerston)
Age: U15
Skill: All-rounder
Info: King is an all-rounder with a bright future, mixing it in the senior grades since he was 12-years-old. A “strong batsman” and opening bowler, King has posted 178 runs at 17.8, and taken 13 wickets at 23.19 across his 23 matches. On top of this, King is a talented fielder who has taken seven catches and three run-outs to date.
SOPHIE CAMERON (Palmerston)
Age: U15
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: An established opening bowler, Cameron currently plays in the U15s and Women’s competition for Palmerston. Cameron earned selection for the U12 School Sport National Championships, as a result of her stellar wicket per match average (14). Cameron’s best figures to date are 3/5.
RALPH STEPHENS (Darwin)
Age: U18
Skill: Batter
Info: The mainstay of NT Cricket’s U17 side for a number of years now, the Eagle is the leader of his age group. A top order bat who has recently come off shoulder surgery, he’s shown his ability to shift gears when the situation demands.
TOBY ANDERSON (Darwin)
Age: U15
Skill: Batter
Info: A player who has really hit his straps as the season’s progressed, Anderson is a solid top order bat. As it stands he is averaging 30.7, and is a tidy fielder to boot.
NISHIE PANCHAL (Palmerston)
Age: U15
Skill: All-rounder
Info: A handy all-rounder that has been solid for Palmerston’s U15s this season, Panchal has earned selection for the National Championship in NSW later this year.
MARCUS NICHOLS (Darwin)
Age: U15
Skill: All-rounder
Info: A cricket fanatic who has already played 27 matches this season across U15s to C-grade, the Eagle is the perfect team man. So far Nichols’ record reads, 416 runs, 26 wickets, eight catches (four wkc), a run-out and a stumping.
ABBEY WARTON (Waratah)
Age: 13
Skill: Pace bowler
Info: Described as a “powerful” fast bowler with a “huge future” the teen has already stood up in pressure situations. Warton was the star of team NT’s U12 victory of the ACT where she took 3/6 from four overs. She helped Waratah Women win the flag last season with a 2/7 effort off three overs against Palmerston in the final.
GUS SPIKE (Darwin)
Age: U15
Skill: Batting All-rounder
Info: A top order bat who consistently lay a solid platform for his side, Spike has impressed in his eight matches to date, he is averaging 42.8 with the bat. Spike has also taken eight wickets at 16.5 and is a handy fielder.
BRODIE CAMERON (Palmerston)
Age: U12
Skill: Bowler
Info: Described as a “fantastic bowler” and handy middle order bat, Cameron has been lethal and very economical all season. The youngster has taken 12 wickets at a mesmerising 5.58 as well as seven catches and a run-out in the field.
NATE WATSON(Districts)
Age: U15
Skill: Batting All-rounder
Info: An U15s and 17s representative, the Croc is a solid top order bat and handy bowler who has good hands in the field.
OWEN FERGUSON (Palmerston)
Age: U18
Skill: All-rounder
Info: One of the form players of the season, Ferguson has been a weapon with both bat and ball. With game time across Palmerston’s U18s, C and B-grade he has amassed 404 runs at an average of 36.73. His average in U18 however is monumental, currently at 79 with a 175.56 sr. His bowling exploits aren’t too shabby either, currently at 19 across all grades at 13.47. On top of this he is very capable in the field, with nine catches and two run outs to his name.
BRANDEN GAWTHROPE (Southern Districts)
Age: U15
Skill: Wicketkeeper-Batter
Info: A top order bat who’s averaging 24.89 across U15 and grade cricket this season, Gawthorpe is also a very good wicketkeeper; 11 catches (10 wkc) and three run-outs.
ELI HAYWARD (Southern Districts)
Age: U15
Skill: Bowler
Info: The perennial wicket taker and last year’s leading under 15s bowler is on pace to smash his 2024 record (19 wickets at 4.74). The junior Croc has been taking scalps for fun with 18 wickets to his name from seven matches and two five-fa’s (5/7 best figures) at an average of 4.72. In total, Hayward has taken 28 wickets across all grades (17 matches).
JUNAID MANSOOR(Waratah)
Age: 16
Skill: Off-spinner
Info: Having just relocated from Sydney last year, Mansoor has hit the ground running. The right arm spinner has been plying his trade in the men’s competition, with best figures of 4/39.
LINCOLN CLARKE (Southern Districts)
Age: U12
Skill: All-rounder
Info: Clarke is having a stellar campaign proving himself both a great batter and bowler. The junior Croc is averaging 18.43 runs and has taken 14 scalps.
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