We look at the young players set to make an impression in Toowoomba cricket
With the cricket season newly underway, The Chronicle looks at the young guns in Toowoomba set to make their mark this year.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CRICKET: Toowoomba’s cricketing season is underway, and as always a strong young contingent will mix it with the region’s experienced veterans.
To celebrate the booming young contingent within the local ranks, we look at the 24 players 20 and under set to make their mark in Toowoomba this season.
COOPER WEBSTER (UNIVERSITY)
One of the up and coming guns in the University squad, Webster dazzled with the ball in reserve grade last season.
With 18 wickets at an average of less than 15, he looks poised for the A-grade opportunity when it comes.
“Cooper is a young gun off spinner and we currently think he’ll be a better bat than bowler,” Josh Mengel said.
“He’s got a lot of potential and hopefully he can go a long way with his cricket.”
TOM BEIL (UNIVERSITY)
A progressive player that has reinvented himself as a strike bowler.
Beil took two wickets and bowled five maidens in last year’s reserve grade grand final, a testament to the growth of the quick.
“Tom was a casual batsman that wasn’t scoring a great deal of runs and turned himself into a quick bowler,” Mengel said.
“He’s been bowling some absolute heat and bowls a great ball.”
MICHAEL EVANS (UNIVERSITY)
Started last year in reserve grade and worked his way up to the top flight.
Evans brings an intensity to the pace attack and is solidfying his spot with solid all-round play.
“Michael’s a young up and coming quick bowler,” Mengel said.
“He’s a really good club person that loves his cricket, works very hard and bowls a great ball. He’s one for the future.”
JOE FRY (UNIVERSITY)
While Fry won’t be there every week due to Brisbane commitments, University are set to benefit whenever he’s available.
A tall quick that continues to improve, has a host of representative honours under his belt already.
“His ability speaks for itself,” Mengel said.
“He’s an absolute gun that is very hard working and is always happy to listen. He’ll go a long way in cricket.”
MATTHEW SPANNER (WESTS)
Made the leap to A-grade cricket last year and handled the rise in class with authority.
Was able to keep things tight when given the ball, and chipped in with runs throughout the season.
Looks poised to take his game to another level this year.
DANIEL ROBINSON (WESTS)
A versatile player that can add some runs late in an innings, Robinson has experience in A-grade.
Had a solid outing for the Western Power in the BPL U19s and can continue on that form this season.
CHACE OATES (HIGHFIELDS-RAILWAYS)
Still just 15, Oates has proven that he is up to the mark of competing against adults.
Blasted back-to-back tons for the Downs at last year’s state championships, and is primed to make his A-grade debut.
“He’ very aggressive batsman, and we wouldn’t pick him if we didn’t think he was ready,” Highfields-Railways president Tony Morrish said.
“We’re not asking him to do anything he doesn’t have to, and will let him find his feet in A-grade.”
REX TOOLEY (SOUTHS)
Tooley’s batting has been a standout since making the move to Toowoomba.
Claimed the Matthew Hayden Medal for his exploits at the Bulls Masters Youth Cup and looks poised to continue on an upwards trajectory.
“Rex made his A-grade debut two years ago,” Healy said.
“He scored the most runs at the Bulls Masters and is a good top order bat.”
MATTHEW BUTTERS (HIGHFIELDS-RAILWAYS)
A spinner that returns to the Bulldogs from Southern Districts.
Proved his ability is beyond his years with a six-wicket haul in the reserve grade finals last season.
“He’s been in the junior system here and has really worked hard on his game,” Morrish said.
“He loves the game and is one of our spin options.”
MATT NUNN (WESTS)
Took the most of his chances when presented to him last season.
Nunn gets the opportunity to solidify himself as the first choice keeper with Chris Gillam’s mixed availability.
“Came into the A-grade team last year and took over the keeping gloves,” A-grade captain Luke Neale said.
“He’ll probably open the batting when Gillo (Chris Gillam) isn’t there. He’s got a good technique and can bat for long periods.”
BEN BROCHERIE (METS)
One of the genuine young stars of the Toowoomba A-grade competition.
Brocherie was able to come up with runs at crucial stages last year, but he did most of the damage with the ball.
“Ben is a really good up and coming talent,” Metropolitan-Easts captain Dan Pollock said.
“He’s a left-arm chinaman and hard hitting batsman that has really improved over the last couple of years.”
MITCH KELLY (HIGHFIELDS-RAILWAYS)
Spent most of his time at first drop last season, scoring a handful of half centuries.
Kelly will again feature prominently up the order.
“Mitch will probably bat pretty high up the order,” Morrish said.
“He’s a young fella that will look to get the team off to a solid start and is another great young player.”
MARCUS FRIZZELL (WESTS)
A strike bowler that can wield the willow, Frizzell came into his own at the back end of last season.
Finished the year with 13 wickets from the last three innings he bowled.
“Marcus is still fairly new to the game. He’s only played the last three or four years,” Neale said.
“By the end of last season he was taking a five-wicket haul. Can swing it around and get the seam moving.”
CALLUM BARNETT (SOUTHS)
Created a big impression last year in the concluding stages of the season.
Barnett took six wickets against Met-Easts to stamp himself as a quick for the future.
“Callum is 17 and made his A-grade debt last year,” vice president Matt Healy said.
“He took six wickets against Mets. Those fast bowlers get better as they get bigger.”
ANGUS KELLY (HIGHFIELDS-RAILWAYS)
A consistent wicket tacker for Highfields-Railways, Kelly’s spin can break down partnerships.
Can bowl a high volume of overs that will prove invaluable this season.
“Angus is a spinner that will do his role,” he said.
“He’s been working hard in the pre-season and is fairly handy with the bat too.”
CALLUM GALVIN (HIGHFIELDS-RAILWAYS)
Another young star on the rise through the Toowoomba Grammar system, Galvin has enjoyed a taste of A-grade action.
A quality batsman that can also roll the arm over.
“Has already made his debut and is another good, young bat in the side,” he said.
“On his day he’s a very good cricketer and has benefited from the Grammar system.”
CHAZ CHEATLEY (WESTS)
A promising young talent that has shown a great ability with both bat and ball.
Cheatley had some opportunities in the top flight last year, and will be knocking on the door once again.
“Has played a bit of A-grade. Came into the team as a bowler but has really improved his batting over the off-season,” Neale said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a crack this season.”
ROHAN McDONALD (WESTS)
A regular wicket-taker throughout the B-grade season, McDonald looks primed to step up to reserve grade in 2021/22.
“Rohan’s a young off-spinner that is developing his batting well,” Neale said.
“He mainly played B-grade last year but will get a start in reggies and will see where he goes with his game.”
MICHAEL DOWE (WESTS)
Returns to play in Toowoomba after a stint in Brisbane.
Dowe took a stack of wickets for Norths, and that form will see him pushing for a first grade spot.
“Michael played his juniors with Wests before moving to Brisbane,” Neale said.
“He’s come back a lot better player. He’s a fast bowler that if he gets his consistency and accuracy right, has a lot of potential.”
KYE HESS (WESTS)
Another of the Western Districts young core that has experienced A-grade.
His consistency in reserve grade was a benefit and made a name for himself as a strike bowler,
“Made his A-grade debut last year,” Neale said.
“Kye’s a bowler that swings the ball around. If he stays consistent he will trouble some batsmen.”
JUDE BROCHERIE (SOUTHS)
Brocherie looks ready to push his reserve and A-grade claims after performing well in the B’s last season.
Good with the bat and delivered with the ball with limited opportunities.
“Jude is a very handy top order bat that bowls as well,” Healy said.
“He bowls a lovely straight line and is a consistent type.”
HARRISON TZANNES (SOUTHS)
A player coming through the Grammar ranks, Tzannes looks ready to make an A-grade spot his own in 2021.
Good behind the stumps and with bat in hand.
“Harrison is a wicketkeeper and top order batsman that has experience in the TGS First XI,” Healy said.
“He’s a good gloveman and very solid with the bat.”
PAARTH MENON (SOUTHS)
Right on the cusp of breaking through into A-grade.
Menon made a lot of people take notice with his strong play in reserve grade, making runs on a consistent basis.
“Paarth is an opening batsman that played Lord’s Taverners last year,” Healy said.
“He made good runs in reserve grade and is knocking on the door of A-grade.”
HAYDEN CAMPBELL (METS)
A new addition to the Trojans roster for the 2021/22 season.
Campbell has averages of 22 with the bat and best figures of 4/20.
“Hayden is new to the club this year,” Pollock said.
“We’re excited to see what he brings to the side, particularly bowling wise.”
REVEALED: Garden City stars set to shine on Pacific league stage
Toowoomba players could shape where the Pacific Championships trophy ends up with a number of players tied to the city in action. Find out who are new international league stars are here.
‘Didn’t like that answer’: How brutal meeting lit fire under NBL debutant
Jason Spurgin created Toowoomba Grammar history on the weekend when he became the first student to debut in the NBL. However, as a former coach reveals, it was a tough conversation ahead of chasing a college scholarship which sparked his incredible rise. Details inside.
REVEALED: QLD’s top strikers, players and football officials
BEST OF THE BEST: We reveal the best strikers, players, coaches and volunteers who made their mark on Queensland football this season. Find out who cracked the list here.
REVEALED: Top 10 senior TCI performances from round 2
After an action-packed round of Toowoomba Cricket, we reveal our top 10 individual performances from the weekend’s action. See who made the list.
We name our Toowoomba cricket Round 2 team of the week
After several action-packed games featuring more than 300 players in action, we have narrowed down our round 2 Toowoomba cricket team of the week. See who made the list from your club here.
RANKED: Top 15 junior cricket performances from Round 2
The 2024-25 junior cricket season is underway with several young guns making their mark with the bat and ball. We have analysed all the clashes to reveal our top 15 individual performances from Round 2. See which junior stars made the list here.