Huon Channel Cricket Association’s key players to watch in season 2024-25

The Huon Channel Cricket Association season will kick off this weekend with every team eyeing a title this season. We’ve spoken to the first grade clubs to see who the players to watch this season are.

Kingston Crows all-rounder Jacob Downie. Picture supplied

The battle lines have been drawn and the action is about to kick off this weekend in the Huon Channel Cricket Association with some big recruits set to debut and rising stars about to take the next step in their rise among the A-Grade ranks.

We asked the clubs who to keep an eye on this summer.

Huonville Bulls

Huonville Bulls senior coach Tyler Cowen. Picture: DCP Photos

Tyler Cowen, 31, all-rounder: Tyler recently came onboard as the senior coach of the club and had a career-best season in 2023/24 taking 26 wickets and scoring 255 runs. Tyler is a powerful batsman who often finds the fence, but can also take wickets with the ball in hand bowling his medium darts at the stumps.

Lochie Job, 15, all-rounder: Young Lochie is one of many homegrown local talents in the Huon Valley. He is an opening bowler with exciting pace for a 15-year old, but he can also bat in the top order and score quickly, often taking the aerial route. Lochie is only going to keep improving and we can’t wait to see what he produces this season.

Hamish Burge, 19, all-rounder: Hamish continues to show improvement season after season with his cricket, finishing last season with his highest score of 189. Hamish is known for his bowling, often taking the new ball on a Saturday and proves to be a hard bowler for batsman to get away. Finishing the season strongly last year, we know Hamish can’t wait to build on his performances and have a great 2024-25.

Kingston Crows

Ash Woodhead, 33, opening bowler and captain: Ash has been the spearhead of the Crows bowling attack for years, closing in on being the club’s leading wicket taker. Ash is feared around the competition for his pace and bowling performances, and will once again look to lead the side to the pointy end of the season.

Sam Rose, 23, all-rounder: Sam was once mainly looked at as an up and coming fast bowler with lots of potential. Last year he showed he could do it with the bat as well, opening the batting for most of the season scoring freely when he is going. It’s expected he will remain at the top, looking to score his first century this season.

Kingston Crows all-rounder Jacob Downie. Picture supplied

Jacob Downie, 22, all-rounder: Jacob can do it all. His handy leg spin bowling has broken the backs of many clubs in recent years, but last year he took his batting to another level by amassing 427 runs. He will look to be the rock in the middle order once again, whilst also improving his coaching and leadership skills. This is one to watch for seasons to come as well as this year.

Longley Bunyips

Longley teenager Ryan Bradburn lands a spectacular catch. Picture Equine & Sport Photography

Ryan Bradburn, 18, all-rounder: The son of a gun is fresh off a big footy season at Kingborough, where he made his senior debut. Ryan had his 23/24 cricket campaign cut short due to a broken arm, and the Bunyips expect big things upon his return. Ryan has an extra yard of pace that his more senior counterparts lack, and has always shown plenty of promise with the bat.

Harry Booth, 27 all-rounder: Harry comes off a fine debut season at Longley, securing the club best and fairest award. Harry impacts all facets of the game bowling tidy off-spin, is brilliant in the field and scores runs at the top of the order. Now firmly part of the Longley culture, it’s only onwards and upwards for Harry in year two.

Margate Mecca

Lochie Griggs, 25, top order batsman: Lochie joined the Mecca last year, and has captained the club’s top side ever since. Griggs is a patient operator, with a knack for exploding late in his innings. Last season, he proved to be a dominant force in the competition, with multiple scores in the 90’s. Look for Griggs to go one better and make that elusive century, whilst causing headaches for opposition with the bat, and potentially the ball.

Snug Scuds

Blake Sculthorpe, 22, all-rounder: Blake is a product of the Tasmanian Youth Pathway representing the state in not only the junior categories, but also senior indoor cricket. As a middle-order batsman and off spin bowler, Blake is an integral member of the Snug squad breaking open attacks in both disciplines. Further boosting Blake’s skillset is his ability in the field. Arguably the best fielder in the HCCA, his reputation has now crossed oceans, resulting in an invite to join the UK’s Downend Cricket Club for the 2025 season. Blake will want to leave his mark on the coming season to pave the way for his first overseas season at the birthplace of the great W.G. Grace.

Jack Minehan, 19, bowler: A born and raised Snug boy, Jack hit the A grade scene with a bang two seasons ago. A natural cricket talent, Jack’s ability to swing the ball, bowl at the death, and to break batting attacks has seen him selected in the HCCA team of the year. Jack’s talents have afforded him the opportunity to head to the UK for the 2025 season with an invite from Tintagel Cricket Club. Jack will look to continue his stellar performances by using the 2024-25 season as a precursor to wielding a Duke on Cornwall’s north coast.

Woodbridge

Woodbridge has a new captain this summer, allrounder Gordon Kerr. Picture supplied

Gordon Kerr, 38, all-rounder: Gordon is taking the reins as captain this season after returning to the club in 2021. With over 1000 career wickets, Gordon’s seam bowling and middle order batting will be vital to the Wombat’s success this season.