The best young players faced off in the Cricket Victoria Country Cup

Some of regional Victoria’s best junior cricketers went head-to-head in the Country Cup with one region dominating. We profile the top performers.

The best junior cricketers from across regional Victoria have battled it out in the Cricket Victoria Country Cup this month.

The competition, involving under-15 girls and under-16 boys representative teams, concluded last week with a finals day on Thursday.

Western Waves took out the boys and girls divisions with wins over Gippsland Pride and Central Highlanders in the respective grand finals.

Here’s a look at the young guns who impressed throughout the tournament.

BOYS

Henry Allsopp, Gippsland Pride

Enjoyed a strong few weeks with the bat, scoring 173 runs at 43.25. Named player of the competition.

Connor Brisbane, Western Waves

The competition’s equal leading wicket taker with 10 at 9.9. Showed his skills with the bat, scoring a valuable 35 in the grand final win.

Joshua Driscoll, Mallee Murray Suns

Finished as the highest run scorer in the boys’ competition with 228 runs at an average of 45.6 including two 50s. Also claimed six wickets to show off his all-round ability.

Cooper Henderson, North East Knights

Brilliant with the ball throughout the tournament, going onto take 10 wickets.

Harry Hicks, Western Waves

Took nine wickets for the competition and played a starring role in the grand final with matchwinning figures of 4-23.

Harry Hicks.

Van Kreeck, North East Knights

Showed his ability with the ball to be one of the leading wicket takers with 10.

Charlie Mahncke, Central Highlands

One of the leading all-rounders for the tournament, scoring 191 runs and taking seven wickets.

Lachlan McKay, Northern Rivers

Enjoyed an accomplished tournament with the bat, scoring two half-centuries on his way to 197 runs at 39.4. Had a high score of an unbeaten 93.

Reid McNamara, North East Knights

One of the leading performers with the bat after hitting 224 at 44.8 for the tournament. Found the boundary with regularity.

We've named the leading performers from the Country Cup.

Luke Miller, Western Waves

Played a brilliant role in his side taking out the tournament with 177 runs at 29.8 including two half-centuries.

Josh Mullavey-Clark, Central Highlands

The only youngster to hit a century throughout the week in the boys competition. Was able to find the boundary consistently.

Noah Willits, Northern Rivers

An emerging all-rounder who led from the front for Northern Rivers. Scored 125 runs and also took 10 wickets.

GIRLS

Bella Bowles, North East Knights

A consistently positive performer throughout the competition with the bat. Bowles led the way for her team with 128 runs and also popped up with four wickets.

Megan Brundell, Mallee Murray Suns

Led the way with the bat for her side and consistently made runs.

Tanae Grero, Central Highlands

Finished as the competition’s leading wicket taker with 13. Also contributed with the bat to be named player of the competition.

Isabelle Kelly, Western Waves

A strong all-round performer throughout the tournament. Scored valuable runs and picked up crucial wickets.

Eloise Millard, Western Waves

Finished as her side’s leading run scorer as the Waves took out the competition. She scored 138 runs at 34.5 across five innings.

Eloise Millard.

D’Lilah Shatwell, Northern Rivers

Led her side’s bowling attack extremely well as she finished with 12 wickets for the tournament.

Zarah Timpson, Western Waves

Her bowling, which claimed 10 wickets, was one of the key reasons the Waves went onto win the title. Also a handy contributor with the bat.

Maddison Winter, Gippsland Pride

The leading run scorer and wicket taker in the girls competition with 166 runs at 33.2 including a high score of 62. Also contributed with the ball, taking five wickets.

Macey White, Northern Rivers

Showed off her all-round ability throughout with a 10 wickets to create a strong partnership with Shatwell. Added valuable runs with the bat.

Jayda Wright, Central Highlands

Finished as her side’s leading run scorer for the competition.

Originally published as The best young players faced off in the Cricket Victoria Country Cup