Toowoomba Cricket: The Chronicle ranks the top players from A, Reserve, B, C and D-grade

TCI Weekend Stars: Round 5 of the Toowoomba Cricket two-day competition got underway with a bang. Find out which Highfields star took out the number one spot in our Top 10 players list here.

Matt Hallas bats for Wests. Met-Easts vs Wests A Grade 2 day cricket. Saturday, February 18, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

CRICKET: Trawling through the Toowoomba Cricket round 5 first innings performances we found some absolute gems from our cricketers.

Check out our newest Top 10 weekend performances here.

MARCH 4

10. Matthew Walls(Uni Reserve-grade)

Batting at No. 4, Walls was in Twenty20 mode. Finishing on 42 not out from 21 deliveries, he was hitting at more than 200. With six fours and two sixes, he is in a good stead to pile on more runs next Saturday.

Michael Dowe bowls for Western Districts. Picture: Kevin Farmer

9. Michael Dowe (Wests A-grade)

Up against Northern Brothers Diggers, Wests bowling attack rolled through the Diggers batsmen, for a measly 63 runs. Dowe played his part and snagged 4-25 from 11 overs with one maiden.

8. Brian May(Wests A-grade)

Finishing the days play at 62 not out from only 65 deliveries, May was not mucking around at the crease scoring nearly a run a ball, with four fours and two sixes.

Kurtley Nielsen makes runs for Highfields. Picture: Kevin Farmer

7. Kurtley Nielsen (Highfields A-grade)

Opening the batting, Nielsen notched up an impressive 70 runs off 147 balls. He got there with six boundaries and zero maximums.

6.John Milton (NBD C-grade)

Captain and coming in at No. 3, Milton was solid scoring 82 from 133. He hit 11 fours and one six.

5. Richard Freeman (NBD B-grade)

An impressive knock at No. 6, Freeman hit 92 from 110 balls by smashing 12 fours and one six.

4. Ben Jeffery(NBD B-grade)

Captain fantastic and batting at No. 8, Jeffery led his 104 runs from just 68 balls hitting 15 fours and three maximums.

Lachlan Evans bowls for Met-Easts. Picture: Nev Madsen.

3. Lachlan Evans (NBD A-grade)

Cutting down Souths defence with ease, Evans had a great spell of 12.4 overs. Ending the innings with 6-46 and one maiden, he was the side’s best bowler.

2. Sam Titterton (Wests A-grade)

Off his 15.2 overs, Titterton had another great day with the ball snagging 6-25 with seven maidens.

1. Andre Odendaal (Highfields A-grade)

Odendaal had an explosive time at the crease on the weekend. Batting at No. 5, he piled on 121 runs off only 133 deliveries smashing 10 boundaries and five sixes.

FEBRUARY 25

10. Jack Hollist (Highfields Railways D-grade)

The shining light in his side’s loss to Souths, Hollist hit 62 runs.

9. Nick Budden (Souths A-grade)

Budden’s knock was important with just three Souths players reaching double figures. Batting at three he finished with 47 runs off 152 balls.

Magpies captain Rohan Drummond batting. Picture: Nev Madsen.

8. Rohan Drummond (Souths A-grade).

Gritty is probably the best way to describe Drummond’s knock against Highfields Railways. The skipper finished with 56 off 117 balls.

7. Marcus Frizzell (Western Districts A-grade)

Frizzell was the pick of an impressive Wests bowling group – taking 3-22.

6. John Vidler (Souths B-grade)

Highfields secured a five run win, but Vidler did his best as skipper and with the ball in hand. Alongside Anthony Bowles, who features on this list, he bowled well taking 3-18 off 6 overs.

5. Anthony Bowles (Souths B-grade)

Like his teammate and captain John Vidler, Bowles did everything he could to make his team competitive. The Magpies’ bowler finished with 3-10 off 7 overs.

4. Aidan Waterson (Northern Brothers Diggers A-grade)

Waterson was a key man in Diggers nine wicket against Uni. He finished with of 3-12 and six of his 12 overs were maidens.

3. Ajay Kumar (Souths Reserve Grade)

Kumar bowled the most overs for Souths for good reason. Half of his 14 overs were maidens and he finished 4-25 in side’s win against Highfields Railways.

2. Shoeb Harun (Met-Easts B-grade)

Harun picked off the Western Districts line-up with ease. The Met-Easts bowler took 4-11 off his 9 overs – four overs of which were maidens.

1. Andrew Crooke (University C-grade)

Just three Northerns Brothers Diggers batsmen reached double figures and Crooke was the reason why. The Uni bowler was unplayable taking 5-18 off 8.4 overs. It was a mesmerising spell that helped Uni secure a 10 wicket win.

FEBRUARY 18

11. Andrew Catlow (Uni C-grade)

Batting at number one, Catlow put up a respectable 56 runs from 45 balls. Smashing the bowlers around the ground, he scored six boundaries and two sixes.

10. Lars de Gier (Wests C-grade)

Bowling a lengthy spell of 17 overs, de Gier kept his side in the match. Recording four maidens, he ended the innings with 4-58 against Easts (9-283d).

9. Chris Smythe (Souths Reserve-grade)

Continuing his impressive run of form, Smythe, batting at number four, hit 61 runs off 96 deliveries. With 10 boundaries, he provided a solid platform for his side against Highfields.

8. Steve Scarlett (Easts C-grade)

Playing as if it was a one-dayer and coming in at number eight, Scarlett punished Wests’ bowling attack. Finishing the innings 69 not out from only 70 balls, he smashed seven fours and four sixes.

7. David Coates (Easts B-grade)

Head of the bowling attack that left Wests all out for 97, Coates took wickets at ease. Finishing with figures of 4-23, he had an 11 over spell that included three maidens.

Luke Neale bats for Wests. Picture: Nev Madsen.

6. Luke Neale (c) (Wests A-grade)

At number three, and captain of the side, Neale dug in and formed a nice partnership with fellow middle order Hallas. Scoring 82 runs off 89 balls, Neale hit seven boundaries and four sixes.

5. Matt Hallas (Wests A-grade)

Coming in at number four, Hallas scored a quick 86 from 78 deliveries, working nicely with his captain Neale. Not content to score just singles, he hit nine fours and two sixes, helping his side reach 276.

Jack Carter bowls for Met-Easts. Picture: Nev Madsen.

4. Jack Carter (Easts A-grade)

Carter was on song against Wests. Bowling a hefty 19 over spell, he had three maidens. With figures of 5-59, he helped stem the bleeding and has given his side a shot to hit back with the bat next week.

3. David Callick (c) (Souths Reserve-grade)

Captain and keeper, Callick showed his nous, scoring 109 runs from only 116 deliveries. Callick smashed an incredible 18 boundaries and lead the charge, with his side declaring at 6-313 against Highfields.

2. Tobin Cherry (Easts C-grade)

Batting at number five, Cherry played an impressive innings, finishing with 115 from 154 balls. Notching up 15 fours and one six, he top scored as his side declared at 9-283 against Wests.

1. Brendan Glavin (Souths C-grade)

In his first game back after more than three years, Galvin blasted his way to a score of 155 off just 168 deliveries.

*Honourable mention: Ben Brocherie, 5-51 from 16 overs.

JANUARY 21

10. Brad Davies (Easts C-grade)

Davies’ performance on the weekend, while maybe not as impressive as some of the other numbers below, was crucial to his sides brilliant bowling performance against Highfields on Saturday. Finishing with 3-2 from three overs, and bowling two maidens, Davies and the bowling attack rolled Highfields for 80 runs.

9. Mark Alexander (Easts B-grade)

One of many tons from the weekend, Alexander had a very solid day at the crease, a perfect middle order contribution. At number five, Alexander scored 103* not out from 129 balls, punishing the ball for 12 fours along the way. Easts ended up declaring at 6-305 against Highfields.

8. David Callick (Souths Reserve-grade)

A captains knock if you want to use a cliche, Callick set the tone at number three, scoring 106 from 149. Clearly not looking to be conservative, Callick hit 14 fours during his time at the crease. Souths finished with 251, sending NBD in to bat.

7. Andrew Catlow (Uni C-grade)

One of two tons scored in the innings, Catlow just made the milestone finishing with 100 off 114 balls. Hitting 16 fours and one six, Catlow had the perfect knock as an opener, setting the tone for his side. Uni were eventually bowled for 395.

6. Andrew Crooke (Uni C-grade)

A knock that wouldn’t look out of place on a one-day card, Crooke scored 116 from just 67 balls. Coming in at number six, Crooke didn’t muck around, with eight fours and eight sixes, his batting performance was explosive.

5. Rahul Suresh (Souths A-grade)

Coming in at number seven on the weekend, Suresh scored an impressive 115 from only 101 balls. At a strike rate of over 100, he achieved this by belting 20 fours, terrorising the NBD bowling attack. Souths were eventually bowled out for 238.

Wayne Hamlet for Northern Brothers Diggers. Photo: Contributed

4. Wayne Hamlet (NBD C-grade)

One of two tons for NBD’s C-grade side, Hamlet scored 136 from 141 balls batting at number two. Along with his fellow ‘bash brother’ Guse, Hamlet hit 18 fours and one six. The two openers couldn’t have asked for a better day at the crease, and allowed their side to declare at 1-330 against Souths. Souths are looking worse for wear, currently 7-37 at the end of days play.

3. Kahlem Readrdon (Easts Reserve-grade)

One of the few bowlers that made the list this week, Readron put up an impressive spell against Highfields on the weekend. Finishing the day with figures of 4-9 from seven overs, he also bowled three maidens, leaving Highfields at 7-20 at stumps.

2. Anthony Guse (NBD A-grade)

Another phenomenal effort with the bat, Guse scored an unbeaten 153* from only 154 balls. Opening the batting and forming a monster partnership with Hamlet, his fellow opener, Guse smashed 26 fours and one six.

1. Chris Smythe (Souths B-grade)

Undoubtedly the standout performer from the weekend, Smythe had the innings of his life. Opening the batting at number one, Smythe scored a remarkable double century. 202* not out from just 230 balls. In his monster knock, Smythe notched up 34 fours. Smythe’s 202 ended up being 88.98 per cent of his sides total runs, with Souths declaring at 2-227 against NBD.

JANUARY 14

11. John Wiggins (Uni D-grade)

Scoring at a rate akin to Big Bash players, Wiggins finished the match 17* not out from only six deliveries. Smashing four 4’s, his contribution with the bat – while a low number – was crucial in his side’s win against Souths.

10. Jack Wiggins (Uni D-grade)

In the same team as John, Jack also had a day to brag about. Ending the day with bowling figures of 3-5 from just 1.2 overs, he got a wicket every almost every second ball he bowled.

He also contributed with the bat scoring 18 runs off 18 balls.

9. Luke Guymer (NBD Reserve-grade)

An impressive knock from Guymer contributed to his team’s victory against Easts on the weekend. Finishing the innings with 57* not out from 74 balls, with four fours and two sixes, Guymer in tandem with Wikaire and Coleborn proved too much for Easts.

8. Ross Milton (NBD Reserve-grade)

Another player from NBD’s reserve grade side to feature on the list, Milton contributed to his side’s victory with four wickets from his 14.3 overs, going for 48 runs in the process. He also bowled one maiden during his spell.

Callum Barnett bowls for Southern District Magpies against Highfields-Railways. Picture: Kevin Farmer

7. Callum Barnett (Souths Reserve-grade)

Playing against University on the weekend, Barnett finished with 4-29 from his 7.5 over spell. His wickets helped restrict Uni to just 109 runs, leaving Souths victorious.

6. Regan Liebke (NBD A-grade)

Finishing with bowling figures of 5-50, Liebke trundled through a decent spell of 14,3 overs on the weekend. Finishing with three maidens, Liebke helped his side defeat Easts.

5. Harjinder Dhillon (Easts 2 Div 1 T20)

In the Rebel Big Blast T20 League, Dhillon contributed to his side’s victory against NBD taking 3 polls for 17 runs off his four over spell. Alongside Andrew Young (45*) and Ben Kahler (44*), Easts won handsomely by 41 runs.

4. Jordan Wikaire (NBD Reserve-grade)

Scoring a handy 64 runs from 156 balls at number four, Wikaire batted valiantly, and formed a crucial partnership in the middle order with Michael Coleborn who scored 59 from 109 balls. Together accounting for 123 runs of their sides 238 their team defeated Easts by nine runs.

Liam Brown for Metropolitan-Easts against Northern Brothers Diggers.

3. Liam Brown (Easts A-grade)

In a losing effort against NBD, Brown added another century to his tally scoring a respectable 120 runs from 188 balls. Brown belted the ball on the way to his ton, recording 15 fours and six sixes.

2. Robert Phillips (Uni C-grade)

For the second weekend in a row, Phillips terrorised and demolished Souths’ batting line-up. Recording a seven wicket haul for the second innings in a row, finishing the match with 14 wickets in total, Phillips recorded 7-16 from his 19 overs, with 10 being maidens.

1. Liam White (Souths A-grade)

With four wickets on the first day and four more on the second, White finished with the incredible figures of 8-58. An innings that carried across two day didn’t halt White’s momentum, bowling 23.4 overs in total with his teammates saying, “He basically single handily won us the game with his performance with the ball.”

JANUARY 7

Liam White bowls for Southern District Magpies against University. Picture: Kevin Farmer

8. Liam White (Souths A-grade)

Having set a steady 225 to defend, White swept through the poor Uni defence, finishing the first day with all four wickets at 4-18 off his nine overs, leaving Uni at a perilous 4-39.

7. Todd Martens (NBD A-grade)

In an all out attack from their bowling unit, Martens (4-16), along with Regan Liebke (3-19) and Connor Phillip (3-37), left the Easts side with a meagre 103 all out. Martens was the pick of the bunch, bowling three maidens in his seven overs.

6. Andrew Johnston (Uni A-grade)

While his side’s batting has left much to be desired, Johnston was a shining light for Uni against Souths. Finishing with the figures of 5-59 from his 14 overs, Johnston kept his side from being blown out.

West batsman Rex Tooley Ipswich Vs Wests. Picture, John Gass

5. Rod Fogerty (Uni C-grade)

Fogarty scored a speedy 83 off 54 balls against Souths on the weekend. Notching 13 fours, Fogarty was seeing the balls like beachballs, smacking the bowlers all around the ground. 4. 4. Rex Tooley (Souths A-grade)

An impressive knock from number five batsmen, Tooley fell agonisingly close to having the perfect start to his season. Out for 90 from 81 balls, Tooley was the top scorer of the innings and held steady in the middle for his team.

3. Adam Kerrigan (Easts B-grade)

Kerrigan had every batsmen’s dream start to a season, notching up an impressive century against Northern Brothers. Scored at a quick pace, Kerrigan scored 118 from 145 balls, top scoring for the innings.

2. Robert Phillips (Uni C-grade)

Bowling an amazing spell, Phillips took 7-21 from his 19.3 overs against Souths.

Phillips was unplayable during his stint, with 11 maidens from his spell.

Sam Titterton bats for Wests. Western Districts vs. Met Easts, reserve grade cricket. Picture: Nev Madsen.

1. Sam Titterton (Wests Reserve-grade)

The pick of the lot after the opening day of the season, Titterton terrorised Highfields batsmen taking 7-19 off his 10.1 overs. Three maidens and helping restrict Highfields to 162, Titterton led his team from the front.