Club legends, high IQ players of Queensland Premier Cricket unearthed

The high IQ players of Taverners, Premier Women and Men’s grade and the club legends of Queensland Premier Cricket revealed here. FULL LIST

Sandgate-Redcliffe up-and-coming batting all-rounder Mia Croucamp headlines the final instalment of our themed Queensland Premier Cricket stories highlighting the best of the best in the state.

The Queensland Under 16 team select came onto the radar of the Queensland selectors after consistent performances batting No. 4 for the Gators in first grade. The youngster has hit 307 runs at an average of 18.06 and taken 11 wickets at 19.18 to make it a no-brainer for selectors.

Her cricketing journey started by observing and playing with her three brothers.

“I followed them and what they did. We used to play backyard cricket all the time; I fell in love with the sport,” Croucamp said.

Croucamp’s journey hasn’t been straightforward, the young gun having dealt with regular injuries in her fledgling career. But that didn’t stop her from making a solid comeback and a huge impact this summer.

Her cricket journey has had its ups and downs, as with any other sport. She had two knee injuries in consecutive seasons, which were significant setbacks for the promising all-rounder.

Like the best, Croucamp trains like the best, the Gator spending a lot of time on her fitness and game in order to be the best on the field.

She does three batting and bowling sessions a week, with fitness every day. She also does strength and conditioning four times a week.

Role models of the Australian women’s cricket team have significantly impacted the numbers of young girls interested in cricket in Australia and for Croucamp, that was what drew her in.

“Seeing advertisements and how well they are doing has made many other women want to join and believe that they can do it as well,” Croucamp said.

Indeed Croucamp lives and breathes the game. Below we canvas the Taveners, Men’s grade and Premier Women players who like Croucamp, live and breathe this wonderful game, as well as the club legends.

THEMED QUEENSLAND PREMIER CRICKET STORIES

UNSUNG HEROES REVEALED

DISCOVERY PLAYERS UNCOVERED

BIGGEST HITTERS, MOST DEDICATED PLAYERS REVEALED

FAST BOWLERS, BEST FIELDERS REVEALED

Eddie Leslie is already a bit of a club legend at Souths, having made his first grade debut as a 16-year-old.

Leslie took a different path to most. Instead of playing Taverners Under 17, Leslie made a decision to play grade cricket.

“He would have been a third year Taverners player this year but he played grade cricket instead,” South Brisbane Taverners coach Nick Perera said.

“Lots of people wanted him to play taverners, he gave up on taverners. Credit to him, he made a decision.”

Leslie went from sixth grade to first grade, “because he is so good”.

“He scores runs in first grade, he is really good. Really really good,” Perera said of Leslie, a “hard worker”.

“He is the future,” Perera praised.

Perera recalled the time he didn’t select Leslie in the Taverners XI, and then the young bolter showed himself and the club that he was good enough to play first grade.

“He was in the squad, the first game he didn’t make it. He decided no, I don’t want to play and went a different path,” Perera said about Leslie’s unique journey to playing first grade.

QUEENSLAND PREMIER CRICKET’S HIGH IQ PLAYERS

University

University have no shortage of cricket nerds.

“It is always nice to hear fresh ideas from people who think a bit differently to the way I see the game,” said coach Peter Clarke.

“Nick Sale was a good one for that, having a different tactical idea and running with it. Angus Lovell and Alez Day are a couple of others who are like that now too.”

Ipswich

Harry Sheppard

His haircut doesn’t do the him justice but the Ipswich Grammar old boy has a higher academic IQ than most if not all at the club.

Harry Wood

Junior cricket prodigy Wood is the master of finding a way to win on the field.

If you feel a game slipping away, Wood is the man for the job and will do anything to resurrect it, and come away victorious.

Taverners, Lew Cooper Cup

Zak Olsen (University)

A newcomer to the wonderful University club, Olsen is loving his time in blue and maroon kit.

He took the reigns as captain and did a “fantastic job at bringing the boys together,” according to head coach Paul Woodford.

Olsen controls the game with his field changes, adjustments for different bowlers, and communicates a game-plan with each bowler based on how the game is panning out.

Will Noffke (Sunshine Coast)

Noffke is a born leader and was the captain of the Scorcers.

From a rich cricketing family, Noffke grew as a tactical leader this season.

Malakai Pearce, Elijah Welsh and Aryan Sanjay are also terrific leaders with cricket brains and a strong understanding of tactics, forming a strong group of leaders who led the way alongside skipper Noffke throughout the Taverners season.

Isaac Lutz and Lachlan Heycox (Wide Bay)

Intelligent off the field and from strong cricketing families, Lutz and Heycoz fit the bill.

They are high IQ players and ask them anything about cricket they will likely know the answer.

Dushyant Thaman (South Brisbane)

Thaman will embark on his fourth year of Taverners cricket next summer and is a good chance of being captain.

A left arm off spinner, Thaman is a very intelligent cricketer who we think could make the Queensland squad in 2024.

Oliver Peck (Wests)

The Wests captain just finished Year 12 at Brisbane State High School, a year early because of how smart he is.

A talented batter, Peck is a wicketkeeper but can also bowl handy medium pace.

Harley Malpass (Wynnum-Manly)

The Sea Eagles prodigy lives and breathes cricket and was an easy pick for coach Luke Maguire.

Chelsea Sonter (Wests, Women)

Ever wondered who was in charge of Wests taking out the Jodie Purves Shield last summer? A 14-year-old Chelsea Sonter remarkably spearheaded West’s premiership campaign, as captain.

Her influence as an aggressor, wicketkeeper and opening batter was instrumental in the team becoming second grade premiers.

Sonter is an academic entry student to Brisbane State High School (double aspire) who is hopeful of following the Queensland Fire’s Georgia Redmayne by combining future studies in medicine with a cricket career.

Sonter has a photographic memory, amazing organisation skills and the best IQ in the Wests team, although there is strong competition.

Last month she added to her long list of achievements by captaining the Met East U15 Girls team to a State Championship before gaining selection in the Schools U16 Queensland Side.

A product from the BEARS (Bayside East and Redlands Cricket Association) region, as a 12-year-old Sonter captained Met East to their first ever State Championship. In that tournament the junior cricket prodigy opened the batting and the bowling before finishing the match as keeper.

Last year Sonter gained selection in the Queensland Under 16 side as a 14-year-old and competed in Canberra this January at the Nationals.

It wouldn’t surprise to see her as vice-captain for the Quensland Under 16s at the Nationals in Tasmania this summer.

As well as playing first grade with Wests now, Sonter still plays mixed cricket on Saturdays against the boys with junior club Holland Park.

Meagan Dixon (Sandgate-Redcliffe, Women)

Former Adelaide Strikers bowler Meagan Dixon made her way to the Sandgate-Redcliffe club after her 6-year stint at the Wests this past season.

Dixon is considered as the best when it comes to a cricketing brain at the club with her awareness of the game putting her team in the best position to win.

The 26-year-old possesses a great knowledge of the game with a cool head and provides tips to the bowlers about game plans and how to get a breakthrough.

Zoe Cooke (Wynnum Manly, Women)

Brisbane Heat quick Zoe Cooke has been an integral part of the Wynnum Manly club this season.

Cooke has the best cricketing IQ in the team and the experience and knowledge she brings to the table is immense with her ability to read the game well in advance.

Cooke is averaging nearly thirty with the bat and picks up wickets week-in-week-out.

Wynnum Manly (Men)

Wynnum-Manly first grade coach Ryan Poole and fielding coach David Toft have been integral in helping the Sea Eagles win this season.

Both coaches are overflowing with cricketing IQ and their vast experience coaching and playing is training up the Sea Eagles current and future stars of the game.

Liz Friend (Gold Coast, Women)

Gold Coast batter Liz Friend is viewed as the game reader of the team and it is unanimous.

Friend studies the game and knows players strengths and weaknesses, sets great fields and is always one step ahead.

Callum Vidler (Valley)

Australian U19 seamer Calum Vidler has surprised his teammates and coaches with his ability to read the game at such a young age.

Described by his coach as Einstein-like, Brisbane Heat signee Vidler is so clever that on first impression it is hard to believe how quick he bowls.

Aryan Jain (South Brisbane)

South Brisbane district cricket club first grade captain Aryan Jain has been an important part of the leadership team and as an opener batter.

The 25-year-old has a unique ability to read the play and stay ahead of the game.

With a cricket IQ second to none, Jain’s resilience to drive the game and get the most out of it for his teammates ensures a competitive nature is emerging across the group.

There is no better man for the job of captain at Souths.

Kendal Fleming, Sam Neale and Haydn Murray (Norths)

Northern Suburbs Cricket Club Kendal Fleming has one of the best cricketing brains in the team with his game style and awareness giving his team an edge.

Fleming made his first grade debut for the Northern Suburbs during the 2011/12 season and at the completion of 2020/21 he had scored 3,751 first grade runs including seven centuries.

Sam Neale and Haydn Murray are also elite thinkers who Jon Hopes said were the smartest at the club.

Toby Snell (Toombul)

Toombul first grade captain Tobias Snell impresses coaches with his awareness of the game and spot on strategies which often seal the deal for Toombul.

Snell is currently recovering from a broken finger so stand-in first grade skipper Dan Cranitch had stepped in.

He is the most competitive player at the club and had Toombul performing very well prior to the Christmas break.

Steph Baldwin (Ipswich, Women)

Former Queensland Country captain Steph Baldwin is always thinking about the game within the game and plans ahead to ensure her team finishes strong.

There are not many better than Baldwin when the game is on the line and runs need scoring.

Hugo Burdon (Gold Coast)

Gold Coast skipper Hugo Burdon has done a terrific job in the first half of the season and has a knack for chasing big totals down.

Stefan Muller (Redlands)

Talk about a bright future. This Tigers batter has great intent and a unique ability to read the game.

He has a Marnus Labuschagne type attitude both on and off the field and is first to training, last to leave.

Corey Barsby (Sandgate-Redcliffe)

Sandgate-Redcliffe former batter Corey Barsby was an incredible player and captain with an unmatched commitment to the club and special communications skills.

He was a natural.

Lucinda Hillier (South Brisbane, Women)

South Brisbane Cricket Club’s Lucinda Hillier is the leader of their under 16 side with the ability to understand the game on a deeper level and use that knowledge to make an impact wherever she can.

THE CLUB LEGENDS

Lucky Peterson (South Brisbane)

South Brisbane batter Lucky Peterson unquestionably fits the description of club legend.

Peterson has played a pivotal role in integrating a youthful team with seasoned individuals.

His infectious attitude and vibrant energy influences those around him and propels him forward, indicating that he has untapped potential to explore.

The overall demeanour and motivation he instils in the team is remarkable, particularly considering the youthfulness of the Souths playing group.

The positive outcomes of his contributions will come to life soon. Just you wait.

Adam Smith, and Sean and Rowan Lutter (Ipswich)

The cartel legends Adam Smith and the Lutter twins Sean and Rowan are club legends at Ipswich.

They’ve been at the Hornets nest through the highs and lows of a young club and even though they might speak their own language at times, they’ve ensured joining the cartel has become a right of passage for any young Hornets quick.

Steve Paulsen (Wests)

Paulsen does a lot of work with the boys in the Taverners squad. He still plays himself, but can often be seen helping coach up West’s juniors.

First grade coach Pete Stiendel, the Brisbane Grammar cricket coach, is also a great mentor to the young guns of the club, and to the coaches.

Belinda Warrilow (Wynnum-Manly)

Wynnum Manly Cricket Club Vice President Belinda Warrilow is a club legend whose legacy is everlasting.

Warrilow officially retired from playing Cricket at the end of last season, and since then, she has been the head of women’s Cricket and other duties.

Over the years, Warrilow has been instrumental in the women’s program and has frequently supported, encouraged, and assisted the group in progressing to the next level.

“She is always a phone call away for anything, including filling in whenever we are short of players,” said coach Harsha Desilva.

Denise Bremner (Ipswich)

Denise Bremner is always the first person to put her hand up to help with anything that the women’s program needs. She volunteers around the club and not just on match day.

Bremner organises the club’s uniforms, scores every week in second grade, and comes to every training session.

Ipswich general board member Fleur Koch is another one of the legendary figures at the Hornets with her dedication to the backhand job of scoring as PlayHQ admin and of course she scores each week for First Grade action.

Both Bremner and Koch are crucial to the success of the women’s program at Ipswich.

Karen Curness (South Brisbane)

South Brisbane district club committee member Karen Curness has been termed a club legend for the work she has done for the betterment of the club.

Curness is a tireless worker for the women’s program, someone who is always willing to lend a hand for whatever is needed in order to make the program better.

Justin Poole (Wynnum-Manly)

Wynnum-Manly batter Justin Poole is a legendary player, a history book player based on his motivation to play and stay in first grade.

Poole is also an Assistant Secretary, Queensland Cricket Delegate and a classy veteran of the club.

Mikey Page (Wests)

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club young prodigy Mikey Page is a bit of a legend at the club.

Page has been involved in cricket for most of his life, having played club cricket for eight years at Kenmore Cricket Club and University of Queensland Cricket Club.

Throughout his indoor cricket career, Page played two seasons at Darra, and in 2021, he played for ATC in the Intermediate and Senior competitions and has also played for the Springwood Scorpions in the U14 State titles. Off the pitch, Page has found his new passion in scoring. In the 2021/2022 season Mikey scored for the Western Suburbs Women’s First Grade team and had the chance to score a Marsh One Day Cup Game at the Gabba between Queensland and New South Wales.

For the 2022 ATC cricket season, Page was the 1st XI Cricket scorer and absolutely loved the entire season and getting to know all.

He is a tremendous young man who scores for the Wests first grade side each week.

University

The University of Queensland has produced a lot of tremendous talent over the years.

“There are too many to name at our club,” said Coach Peter Clarke.

“Our mantra is that players run the club. So the reason for our success over a long period is the players taking responsibility for how we operate.”

“Players like dashing opener Chris Torrisi, Jarrod Turner, Geoff Teys, Brendan Lorberg, and David Biggs have been etched into the club’s history.

“The names of the legendary players who set the culture we all strive to emulate.”

Coach Clarke admires a lot of time by the volunteer administering and coaching the club.

We will throw a name out there, Peter Burge medallist and two time Clubman of the Year Michael Philipson.

He is a club-legend at University.

A wicket-taker, Philipson retired a few years ago after an accomplished career where he enjoyed over 20 Premierships across multiple formats, something very few will ever be able to brag about.

From playing Taverners cricket in the early 2000s to scoring over 4800 runs in two-day cricket for University, not many deserved retirement more than Philipson.

He is in the top 10 in just about every category in the club’s records.

Abigail Godfrey (Gold Coast)

Gold Coast batting all-rounder Abigail Godfrey is a club legend with ultra-impressive statistics in past seasons.

Godfrey could have been “the next big thing” in women’s Cricket seven or eight years ago but decided to take a break from the game.

“She has come back this year, and her ability to pick up where she left off is awe-inspiring,” former Gold Coast Coach Richard Griffiths said.

“Even more impressive is the time she has for young players coming through. She has aspirations to be a coach, and it’s not hard to see why.”

The 2023/24 season has been a comeback season for the experienced batter with 167 runs in 12 innings, playing a crucial role in the middle overs of the game.

Cameron French (Redlands)

Redlands Tigers Cricket Club second grade captain Cameron French is the club’s most underrated legend with his immense contributions. He is also a very good cricketer who captains and opens the batting.

French is involved in a managerial position at Tigerland where he runs raffles, organises club events and handles the social media.

He took hold of all of that and started pushing out club content to social media when it simply wasn’t a thing in club cricket.

Another is Jake Carden who with his stump-to-stump medium pacers takes wickets and brings the wicketkeeper into the contest.

Originally published as Club legends, high IQ players of Queensland Premier Cricket unearthed