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Tasmania’s Emerging Tigers cricketers revealed

They’re the state’s most promising young cricket talents named in the Emerging Tigers pathway program looking to become the next Tim Paine, Matthew Wade or Kim Fazackerly. Meet them here.

Emerging Tigers (L-R) Darcy Allen, Taylor Brooks, Sophia Di Venuto and Luca Di Venuto at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd
Emerging Tigers (L-R) Darcy Allen, Taylor Brooks, Sophia Di Venuto and Luca Di Venuto at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

With a men’s program boasting the talent of Australia A representitves Caleb Jewell and Tim Ward and a women’s team gunning for a third straight Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) trophy this summer, cricket in Tasmania looks to be in as healthy a position as it ever has been.

While the competition with Aussie rules, basketball, hockey and netball, among other sports, remains at an all-time high, Cricket Tasmania is doing everything they can to find the next homegrown Tim Paine or Kim Fazackerly.

Part of that process is the introduction of the Emerging Tigers program.

It’s a pathway designed allow the state’s most promising young athletes the chance to experience similar aspects of being a professional cricketer.

The Mercury recently sat down with Cricket Tasmania’s Head of Female Pathways Natalie Schilov to profile all 27 young guns that will be apart of the program this season.

Chloe Abel

Age: 20

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace/Right Hand Bat

Local club: New Town CC

Chloe Abel playing for New Town in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League (CTPL). Picture: Linda Higginson / Cricket Tasmania
Chloe Abel playing for New Town in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League (CTPL). Picture: Linda Higginson / Cricket Tasmania

Abel has progressed through the pathway as a junior player before earning a senior contract at the age of 17. Since the completion of her first contract she has gone on to be an important leader at New Town in the CTPL and has just recently been included in the Scottish National squad.

Darcy Allen

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Left Arm Pace

Local club: North Hobart CC

Darcy Allen is one of Tasmania’s most promising young bowlers. Picture: Supplied.
Darcy Allen is one of Tasmania’s most promising young bowlers. Picture: Supplied.

Allen took Tasmania’s only 5 wicket haul at the under 19’s championship last year, swinging the new ball upfront often sees Allen collect a lot of wickets and LBW’s.

Hamish Ayliffe

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace

Local club: Kingborough District CC

Hamish Ayliffe is looking to become a regular member of Kingborough’s CTPL premier league side. Picture: Supplied.
Hamish Ayliffe is looking to become a regular member of Kingborough’s CTPL premier league side. Picture: Supplied.

Ayliffe is one of the strongest and fittest members of the squad and he is an excellent learner of the game who is always searching for ways to improve. A regular spot in Kingborough’s first grade side is on his radar.

Taylor Brooks

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace /Right Hand Bat

Local club: Clarence District CC

Taylor Books plays for Clarence in the CTPL and is also a handy hockey player. Picture Chris Kidd
Taylor Books plays for Clarence in the CTPL and is also a handy hockey player. Picture Chris Kidd

A handy dual sportswoman, Brooks is also a Tasmanian Institute of Sport hockey athlete. She bowls with impressive away swing and has provided valuable middle order contributions at both club level and last year’s under 19 nationals. An athletic mover in the field, she is the twin sister of Hockeyroos player Madison Brooks.

Ethan Clark

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Left Hand Bat

Local club: Sheffield CC

Ethan Clark is plying his trade on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Picture: Supplied.
Ethan Clark is plying his trade on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Picture: Supplied.

A tall hard hitting left hander from the North West Coast, Clark is surrounded by plenty of experience that is aiding his development and challenging him to improve each week.

Zac Curtain

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Right Hand Bat

Local club: Kingborough District CC

Zac Curtain has been on the radar of Cricket Tasmania for many years. Picture: Supplied.
Zac Curtain has been on the radar of Cricket Tasmania for many years. Picture: Supplied.

Curtain has been in the Cricket Tasmania system for much of his junior life. Has scored a lot of youth age hundreds and he will be endeavouring to now convert them at a senior level.

Ava Curtis

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Right Hand Bat/Right Arm Pace

Local club: South Launceston/Greater Northern Raiders

Ava Curtis has spent time in the Hobart Hurricanes squad over the last two seasons. Picture: Supplied.
Ava Curtis has spent time in the Hobart Hurricanes squad over the last two seasons. Picture: Supplied.

Another prospect out of the north of the state, Curtis has had her taste at the elite level through being involved with the Hobart Hurricanes squad in the last two seasons. A natural athlete and competitor, it will be great to see her development transfer into game play this season.

Luca Di Venuto

Age: 16

Dominant skill: Left Hand Bat

Local club: Clarence District CC

Luca Di Venuto is the son of Tasmanian Tigers legend Michael. Picture: Supplied.
Luca Di Venuto is the son of Tasmanian Tigers legend Michael. Picture: Supplied.

The son of Tasmanian Tigers legend Michael Di Venuto, the talented dashing left hander will be looking to break into the Clarence’s first grade side this season and one day follow in his father’s footsteps and play for Tasmania.

Sophia Di Venuto

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Right Arm Off Spin/Right Hand Bat

Local club: Clarence District CC

Sophia Di Venuto has big shoes to fill in the form of her famous dad Michael. Picture: Supplied.
Sophia Di Venuto has big shoes to fill in the form of her famous dad Michael. Picture: Supplied.

The older sister of Luca and eldest daughter of Michael, Di Venuto joins the Emerging Tigers having taken up spin bowling within the last few seasons and as a natural ball striker. She has taken some big wickets and performed strongly at the past two under 19 nationals.

Thomas Dwyer

Age: 16

Dominant skill: Right Hand Bat

Local club: Mowbray CC

Thomas Dwyer batting for Tasmania in the Cricket Australia Under 17 Championships. Picture: Linda Higginson/Cricket Australia
Thomas Dwyer batting for Tasmania in the Cricket Australia Under 17 Championships. Picture: Linda Higginson/Cricket Australia

Dwyer is one of those batters that seems to have a lot of time when he is at the crease. His work ethic to learn and develop holds him in great stead. Represented Tasmania at the under 17 Championships last year.

Erin Fazackerly

Age: 26

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace/Right Hand Bat

Local club: Clarence District CC

Erin Fazackerly has previously played for Tasmania’s women’s sides. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.
Erin Fazackerly has previously played for Tasmania’s women’s sides. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Fazackerly has previously been a contracted cricketer for Tasmania, the Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Renegades. After spending the past few seasons in the CTPL, it’s fantastic to have someone of Fazackerly’s skill and experience in the Emerging Tigers program, pushing for selection at the next level.

Charlie Fish

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Left Arm Pace

Local club: South Hobart Sandy Bay CC

Charlie Fish continues to progress well with cricket. Picture: Supplied.
Charlie Fish continues to progress well with cricket. Picture: Supplied.

Still very raw to cricket, Fish is rapidly learning the game. His long limbs have the potential to swing the ball and at pace as he strengthens over the winter program.

Joe Groom

Age: 16

Dominant skill: Left Arm Pace

Local club: University CC

Last seasons’ Michael Di Venuto Medal (under 17 Male Player of the Year) winner, Groom is a left arm quick with plenty of upside. This is Groom’s first year in the Cricket Tasmania pathway and he is looking to develop his all round game.

Shelby Leonard

Age: 16

Dominant skill: Left Arm Pace/Left Hand Bat

Local club: Kingborough District CC

Shelby Leonard is the youngest female in the Emerging Tigers program. Picture: Supplied.
Shelby Leonard is the youngest female in the Emerging Tigers program. Picture: Supplied.

One of the youngest Emerging Tigers, Leonard has a unique skillet that has plenty of upside. She swings the ball back into the right hander and strikes with good power.

Joseph McGann

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace

Local club: Lindisfarne CC

Cricket Tasmania Emerging Tigers program participant Joseph McGann. Picture: Supplied.
Cricket Tasmania Emerging Tigers program participant Joseph McGann. Picture: Supplied.

Joe’s energy at the under 17’s national championship last year was a standout for Tasmania. He will be looking to cement himself in Lindisfarne’s first grade side full time this season.

Thomas Murrell

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Right Hand Bat/Wicket Keeper

Local club: Lindisfarne CC

Thomas Murrell was a member of Lindisfarne’s CTPL premiership last season. Picture: Linda Higginson
Thomas Murrell was a member of Lindisfarne’s CTPL premiership last season. Picture: Linda Higginson

After cementing himself in the first grade line up, Murrell opened the batting in Lindisfarne’s premiership winning side. Looking to have a big impact with both bat and gloves this summer.

Otto Newstead

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace

Local club: University CC

Otto Newstead is one of the fresh faces in the Cricket Tasmania pathway program this summer. Picture: Supplied.
Otto Newstead is one of the fresh faces in the Cricket Tasmania pathway program this summer. Picture: Supplied.

Newstead is a new member of the Cricket Tasmania pathway. A strong right arm pace bowler, he will be looking to develop his all round game over the course of the program.

Aidan O’Connor

Age: 17

Dominant skill: All Rounder

Local club: Riverside/Greater Northern Raiders

Launceston teenager, Aidan O'Connor has signed a local rookie contract with the Tasmanian Tigers for the coming summer. Picture: Cricket Tasmania
Launceston teenager, Aidan O'Connor has signed a local rookie contract with the Tasmanian Tigers for the coming summer. Picture: Cricket Tasmania

One of the brightest young talents Tasmania has seen in recent years, O’Connor recently signed a rookie contract with the Tigers for the upcoming summer. His work ethic to strive for excellence is unmatched and his cricket IQ is growing rapidly. O’Connor also has great leadership qualities for such a young player.

Luke Quinlan

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Right Hand Bat

Local club: Lindisfarne CC

Luke Quinlan batting for Tasmania at the Under 17 Cricket Nationals. Picture: Linda Higginson/Cricket Australia
Luke Quinlan batting for Tasmania at the Under 17 Cricket Nationals. Picture: Linda Higginson/Cricket Australia

A couple of dominating performances in the under 17’s Championship last year, Quinlan will be looking to build on the confidence he has taken from these as he expands his game.

Meg Radford

Age: 22

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace/Right Hand Bat

Local club: Riverside/Greater Northern Raiders

Meg Radford of Greater Northern Raiders, bowling in the CTPL Women's 1st Grade T20 Grand Final between North Hobart and Greater Northern Raiders. Picture: Anthony Corke
Meg Radford of Greater Northern Raiders, bowling in the CTPL Women's 1st Grade T20 Grand Final between North Hobart and Greater Northern Raiders. Picture: Anthony Corke

Radford has been on the cusp of WNCL debut on a number of occasions, being included in travelling squads as recently as last season. A handy in swing bowler, she also claimed player of the match in last year’s CTPL final.

James Scott

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Right Arm Leg Spin

Local club: Kingborough District CC

James Scott is one of just two leg spinners in the program. Picture: Supplied.
James Scott is one of just two leg spinners in the program. Picture: Supplied.

Scott is one of two leg spinners in the squad. A very articulate thinker of the game and always looking for another way to improve all disciples of his game.

Oscar Shinkfield

Age: 17

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace

Local club: South Hobart Sandy Bay CC

Shinkfield made his first grade debut for the Sharks last season and will be looking to cement himself in the line up. The under 17’s championship opened his eyes to some high quality cricket and has him wanting even more.

Louis Smith

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Right Arm Pace

Local club: University CC

Louis Smith (front) pictured here with younger brother Sam after both scored centuries on the same day for the University of Tasmania Cricket Club with Louis scoring a double century. Picture: Zak Simmonds.
Louis Smith (front) pictured here with younger brother Sam after both scored centuries on the same day for the University of Tasmania Cricket Club with Louis scoring a double century. Picture: Zak Simmonds.

Smith cemented his spot in the University first grade side last year and has a very easy going approach to the crease before releasing the ball at pace and hitting the seam on repeat.

Riley Stafford

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Right Arm Leg Spin

Local club: Wynyard Tigers CC

Riley Stafford has major talent and is one to watch in program. Picture: Supplied.
Riley Stafford has major talent and is one to watch in program. Picture: Supplied.

Stafford has a high ceiling for his development and understands and reads the game really well. He knows his strengths & weaknesses. Leg spin is a hard craft and he is progressing at a quick rate.

Matilda Waddington

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Right Hand Bat/Right Arm Pace

Local club: New Town CC

Matilda Waddington was a member of New Town’s CTPL premiership last summer. Picture: Supplied.
Matilda Waddington was a member of New Town’s CTPL premiership last summer. Picture: Supplied.

Striking the ball with effortless power is Waddington’s biggest weapon. Bowling some handy medium pace, she was a handy contributor for New Town in their premiership season last year.

Riley Whitelaw

Age: 15

Dominant skill: Right Hand Bat/Wicket Keeper

Local club: Clarence District CC

Riley Whitelaw batting for Tasmania in the Under 17’s National Cricket Championship. Picture: Linda Higginson/Cricket Australia
Riley Whitelaw batting for Tasmania in the Under 17’s National Cricket Championship. Picture: Linda Higginson/Cricket Australia

The youngest of our Emerging Tigers, Whitelaw exudes energy. His work ethic to keep improving and learning is a pillar of his cricketing personality.

Jesse Willmott

Age: 18

Dominant skill: Left Arm Off Spin

Local club: New Town CC

Cricketer Jesse Willmott at New Town. Picture: Chris Kidd
Cricketer Jesse Willmott at New Town. Picture: Chris Kidd

Willmott has been the number one spinner in the under 19’s side for the last two championships. Willmott was involved earlier this year in the national camp and played some off season cricket in Darwin. He is ready to be the number one spinner at New Town.

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/tasmanias-emerging-tigers-cricketers-revealed/news-story/656d958e564060e9337d41d8a9481058