They’re the grassroots cricket heroes racking up runs and putting cherries on stumps in every community. From Cairns to the Gold Coast and everywhere in between, meet the top run-scoring and wicket-taking stars leading the Sunshine State’s A Grade cricket
With stella performances all-summer long, we reveal the leading run-makers and ultimate wicket-takers from all corners of the Sunshine State
See the 100+ stars who topped their club leaderboards in the 2022/23 regular season.
Daniel Gartrell
Club: Suburban Parks, Townsville
Stats: 28 wickets at 13.25
A part-time medium pacer in most of his 11 previous A Grade seasons, Gartrell’s awkward length and a wristy release have turned him into Townsville’s top wicket taker and an irreplaceable all-round weapon for his side.
Jamie Heit
Club: Suburban Parks, Townsville
Stats: 323 runs at 35.89
The best batters don’t waste opportunities to open up the shoulders.
Heit ended the season as Sub Parks’ leading runscorer but scored more than half of those runs in a single not-out innings against Northern Beaches.
The club withdrew from A Grade two weeks later, with the sound of Heit’s bat likely still ringing in their ears.
Sam Collingwood
Club: Norths, Townsville
Stats: 27 wickets at 5.52
Through washouts and bye rounds, Norths have played just two days of cricket from a possible 14 since November 26.
To finish second overall in Townsville’s wicket stakes demonstrates Collingwood’s class despite a lack of opportunity to bowl.
Adam Zabala
Club: Norths, Townsville
Stats: 272 runs at 54.4
Townsville’s top wicketkeeper batsman has been valuable in both crafts in Norths’ undefeated run through the regular season.
Zabala only had seven opportunities to bat but made them count, scoring 25 or more in five innings.
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Craig McElligott
Club: Brothers, Townsville
Stats: 384 runs at 54.86
The Brothers captain scored the third A Grade century of his career this season, with two half-centuries to go with it to secure the North Queensland batting crown.
Justin Rawlins
Club: Brothers, Townsville
Stats: 25 wickets at 8.8
If online records are to be believed, Justin Rawlins took 56 wickets at an average of 3.38 during the 2022/23 season.
A mix-up in the runs and wickets column saw Rawlins credited for an all-time bowling performance of 35-4 back in December.
Too good to be true, but Rawlins remains one of Townsville’s top bowling weapons at age 31.
Stephen Clifford
Club: Wanderers, Townsville
Stats: 20 wickets at 13.1
It was a season to remember for Stephen Clifford, with an A Grade hat-trick to force a miraculous tie against Suburban Parks, the highlight moment of an entire career.
Sub Parks had 16 overs and three wickets in hand to hit a single run until Clifford struck, taking three in a row to save an unthinkable draw.
Ryan Eaton
Club: Wanderers, Townsville
Stats: 238 runs at 23.8
The North Queensland representative all-rounder scored his 2000th A Grade run for Wanderers this season and was a key reason the Mighties dodged the wooden spoon in Townsville.
Eaton scored two half-centuries and fell just short of two more.
Kyle Dearness
Club: Western Suburbs, Townsville
Stats: 19 wickets at 13.95
The veteran Wests seamer had to wait a decade before making his North Queensland representative debut but finally earned one this season.
Dearness led the Magpies into the semi-finals as Wests’ first choice quick.
Sam Lowry
Club: Western Suburbs, Townsville
Stats: 329 runs at 41.13
Townsville’s 2021/22 batting king missed out on defending his title by just 53 runs.
After a slower start to this season, the former CQ standout hit his straps in time for finals.
In his last five innings, Lowry scored 199 at 49.75.
Todd Ferguson
Club: Rebel Tourists
Stats: 310 runs in 12 innings at 25.83 average.
Even with a shiny new ball steaming in at him, Ferguson has managed to remain calm all these years.
The opener has averaged a lovely 25.83 this season, a pinch below his career average of 28.
Although he hasn’t reached triple figures this year, he was awfully close with 96.
Aman Arya
Club: North Spartans
Stats: averages 43.2 with the bat and 15.13 with the ball
Arya is the Spartans spark in the middle order.
This season he has been on another level, racking up 216 runs with the bat and a whopping 30 wickets with the ball, all in 11 hit outs.
Nitish Paul
Club: North Spartans
Stats: 331 runs at 23.63 and 23 wickets
Paul provides stability at No. 5 for his Spartans side, supplying runs at a consistent pace all-season long.
He has shown up for every game this year and that in itself earns him a spot on this list.
Callum Smith
Club: Pine Rivers
Stats: 46.17 batting average and 9.5 bowling average.
There’s little wonder why Pine Rivers are perched comfortably at the top of the Brissy table, with the sensational Smith running the show.
This year, he has been on a tear at both the bowling and batting crease.
With bat in hand he has so far scored 277 runs in 12 games, and has claimed 30 wickets thanks to the 6 he took in early March.
Damian Lawless
Club: Pine Rivers
Stats: batting average of 37.29
Helping Smith carry the load this season was veteran Damian Lawless, a gun bat who has 2114 career runs to his name.
This year Lawless took his game to another level, tallying 261 runs at an average of 37.29.
Darcy Gray
Club: Wynnum Manly
Stats: 20 wickets in 10 games.
Darcy Gray would win a gold medal if they presented them for application.
He has bowled the house down for his side.
He’s economical, takes wickets, and often bowls the most overs for his side.
Against the best team in Pine Rivers, Gray bowled a tight 1-25 off 14.
Alex Mainey
Club: Macgregor cricket club
Stats: averaging 50.6 with the bat and 9.6 with the ball.
It’s been Mainey madness this summer, the MacGregor faithful producing magic with bat and ball.
Macgregor supporters were treated each week to his flashing blade, one that produced 253 runs at 50.6.
All the while, he delivered the goods with the red by taking 25 wickets in 11 matches.
Raenel Sharma
Club: Macgregor cricket club
Stats: 37 wickets in 13 matches.
And we thought Mainey was the name on everyone’s lips.
Sharma shares that crown and there’s no doubt about it.
The strike bowler boasted a magnificent 7/69 effort this season to put the icing on a 37-wicket campaign while averaging 11.27.
Joshua Saul
Club: Coorparoo
Stats: 25 wickets at an average of 8.32.
Coorparoo has a positive win record thanks to this guy.
He is a weapon with the ball, taking 25 wickets in 11 matches this year.
What makes his efforts at the bowling crease even more impressive is the fact he is going at 1.7 an over.
Yes you read that right.
He’s just as handy with the bat, having mustered 187 runs at an average of 17.
Nathan Gould
Club: Burpengary
Stats: batting average of 26.64 and bowling average of 9.19
Gould is not unlike Sual, in that he’s capable of impacting the outcome of a game.
Whether it be his quick scoring or tight lines building pressure for the batters, Gould has been a real gift for a struggling Burpengary side this summer.
With the ball, he has bowled 20 maidens in his 67 overs.
Did we forget to mention he has almost 300 runs?
Take a bow, Gould.
Jackson Edwards
Club: Springwood Suns
Stats: 396 runs with an average of 44
The Springwood Suns sit atop the table, courtesy of Edwards’ with the willow.
He averages 44, is edging 400 runs, has a century to his name and strikes it in a hurry.
What more could you want from a No. 3 bat?
Matt Field
Club: Ashgrove
Stats: 25 wickets in 11 games.
Field is finally starting to hit his strap.
On Saturday they watched as he unleashed with a sixfer.
It was against the No. 1 team Springwood, so that must count for something.
Field bowls spectacular lines, and the proof is in the pudding: one in every four overs, Field serves up a maiden.
Jack Dorries
Club: Springwood Suns
Stats: 40 wickets in 13 matches.
When you have Jackson Edwards as your No. 3 bat you have a tough team to beat.
If you have Dorries backing him up, they make nothing less than a superteam.
That’s what the Springwoods Suns are proving to be with Dorries spearheading their season with 40 wickets.
He has bowled 145 overs and yet still manages to go for just two an over.
The strike bowler collects poles at an average of 7.73.
Josh Thompson
Club: Wellington Point
Stats: 250 runs at an average of 41.67
Wellington Point are challenging the Suns for the title and it’s all because of Thompson.
The all-rounder is in the form of his life, belting it at 41.67 with the bat and strangling his rivals with the ball.
How often do we see an all-rounder with statistics that stack up like this:
+142.2 overs
+66 maidens
+39 wickets
+Economy rate: 1.27
+Best figures: 6/4
+Average: 4.64
The competition needs a fire extinguisher to put Thompson out.
Nakul Mehta
Club: South Brisbane
Stats: 39 wickets in 12 games
South Brisbane do sit at the bottom of the ladder but Mehta is still having himself a season.
He has been South’s most consistent bowler.
Tom Boorman
Club: Atherton
Stats: 509 runs at 50.90 (105*)
Atherton’s captain led from the front all season helping his side get to the grand final. His 105 not out in round three helped his side chase down 212, winning by two wickets. He made three 50s and one hundred for the season.
Andrew Phelps
Club: Barron River
Stats: 456 runs at 41.45 (93)
Last season’s champion player started off the 2022/23 season where he left in 2021/22: great form.
His 93 came in the grand final rematch, helping his side to a 60 run victory over last year’s premiers.
Jordan Fulton
Club: Barron River
Stats: 26 wickets at 11.73 (6/24)
The spearhead of the Barron attack, Fulton passed a 20-year record to become the leading wicket taker for the club.
His 6/24 came in the same game as Phelps’ 93, helping his side claim the win.
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Ryan Terry
Club: Cairns Rovers
Stats: 297 runs at 22.85 (70)
The Rovers captain had a tough job this season, opening the batting and wicket keeping
It is never an easy job but Terry was one of the shining lights all-season.
His 70 came in the 124 run win over Barron in round five.
Brenton Edwards
Club: Cairns Rovers
Stats: 26 wickets at 10.46 @ (4/17)
Edwards had probably the most consistent year with the ball across the first grade competition.
In the last game of the season, Edwards had the chance to remove Fulton and become the leading wicket taker award, but Fulton was too solid and kept them locked at 26 each.
Rhys Camilleri
Club: Cassowary Coast
Stats: 246 runs at 35.14 (85*)
A tough year for Cassowary Coast still shared some glimpses of potential with young talent like Camilleri coming through.
The young top order batsmen’s 85* came in the final game of the season, almost getting his side across the line against Atherton.
Luke McAvoy
Club: Cassowary Coast
Stats: 12 wickets at 21.67 (3/21)
McAvoy consistently kept the score tight from one end.
Even if he wasn’t taking wickets, the opposition weren’t getting big scores.
McAvoy also finished second in the leading run scorers by three runs.
Justin Reid
Club: Mulgrave
Stats: 404 runs at 67.33 (83*)
Reid had a strong start and even stronger finish to the season to help his side get the chance to challenge for a threepeat.
He scored 83* twice during the season and finished with 246 runs in the final five innings of the season before rain washed out their grand final chance.
Blake Raper
Club: Mulgrave
Stats: 20 wickets at 9.25 (5/27)
The left-arm quick claimed 15 wickets in his last four games of the season to become Mulgrave’s leading wicket taker and to finish third on the leading wicket takers list.
His 5/27 against Norths in the final round included a hat-trick in the first over of the game.
Aidan Firman
Clubs: Norths
Stats: 501 runs at 62.63 (104)
The 16-year-old finished second in the leading run scorers list, just eight runs behind Tom Boorman from Atherton.
He scored two hundreds and two 50s, with the final round 101* being described as some of the best hitting in the Far North for a long time.
Dan Freebody
Clubs: Norths
Stats: 20 wickets at 17.40 (4/18)
Freebody was arguably the best all-rounder of the competition this season.
He finished fourth in the wickets column and fifth with the bat.
His 4/18 came in the round two win over Barron, and only went wicketless twice in the 15 game season.
Luke Neale
Club: Western Districts
Stats: 586 runs at 65.1
When Neale gets a start he rarely lets the opportunity go to waste.
The top order batter has racked up three 50s and two centuries this season.
Neale was unbeatable against Souths hitting 189 off just 132 balls in round 3 of the TCI two-day competition.
He hit 18 fours and 9 sixes in the innings.
Darren Koche
Club: Metropolitan-Easts
Stats: 396 at 44
Koche was Mr. Consistent in the one-day competition this season, scoring over 40 runs in all four innings he played.
His best performance of the season however was against Uni scoring 100 of bhis side’s 207 first innings runs in the two-day competition.
Dean Sullivan
Club: Uni
Stats: 278 at 34.75
It’s been a tough season for Uni but Sullivan has tried his best to fire up his club.
Sullivan scored back to back half centuries (67 and 53) in round 3 of the two-day competition and had a top score of 41 in one-day cricket this season.
Andre Odendaal
Club: Highfields Railways
Stats: 233 at 29.1
Odendaal is best known for his work with the ball, but the big quick can hit a ball as well. More than half his runs in the one-day format came in the one innings as the all-rounder hit 96 off 83 balls.
Odendaal hit 7 fours and 5 sixes.
Rahul Suresh
Club: Souths
Stats: 214 at 35.67
Suresh did his best work in the two-day format, finishing as the third highest run scorer in the regular season.
He backed a gritty round 3 half century (60 off 104 balls) up with an impressive 115 off 101 balls in his next stint at the crease.
Cody Walker
Club: Northern Brothers Diggers
Stats: 239 at 34.12
Walker didn’t have much luck in the two-day season with knocks of 28, 25, 11 and 4.
He did however have some success in the shorter form of the game.
Batting at No. 4 he helped his side set a competitive 212 for victory hitting 101 runs off 111 balls.
Harry Meiklejohn
Club: Highfields Railways
Stats: 18 wickets at 8.3
The young Bulldogs star claimed 17 wickets in just four one-day games finishing with career best figures 5-27.
His ‘worst’ performance was 3-37.
Michael Dowe
Club: Western Districts
Stats: 23 wickets at 14.69
Dowe narrowly edges out teammate Chaz Cheatley as the pick of the Wests bowlers this season.
He has been consistent in both forms of the game, taking two or more wickets in 8 of the 10 games he has bowled in.
Jack Carter
Club: Metropolitan Easts
Stats: 20 at 13.95
Carter was almost unstoppable for three straight innings during the two-day season.
He tore through Wests taking 5-59 and in his next match he terrorised Uni claiming 5-37 and 4-37.
Liam White
Club: Southern Districts
Stats: 13 wickets at 9.85
The best of the Magpies bowlers this season by a long way, White bowled a mammoth stint against Uni in round 1 of the two-day competition and for good reason.
White finished 8-58 off 23.4 overs.
He only bowled six maidens but his efforts were key to his side’s win in the game.
Hemal Shah
Club: Uni
Stats: 12 wickets at 14.16
The talented Uni spinner earns his side’s spot by way of one stunning but brief spell with the ball.
The 2022 TCI Player of the Year took 4-5 off 3.1 overs in an electric match against Souths Magpies.
Regan Liebke
Club: Northern Brothers Diggers
Stats: 18 wickets at 16.94
Liebke is a standout bowler across both formats for NBD this season.
His best performance was an eight wicket haul in his side’s clash with Met-Easts.
Zane Beattie
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Stats: 570 runs at 51.82, top score 105, one century and two half centuries
Often leading from the front and making some sort of score, Zane Beattie showcased his versatility throughout the season both as an opener and middle order batsman. His century against Queens in Round 8 came at just about a run a ball; part of one of the campaign’s most clinical partnerships with Brent Anderson of 195.
Brent Anderson
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Stats: 24 wickets at 9.75, BB 6/12, two five wicket hauls
Brent Anderson showcased his all around abilities for the Lions, not only becoming a key batsman but leading the charge with the ball. Helensvale’s Jack Baird is the only other bowler in the competition to take his wickets at an average of less than 10, highlighting his ability to restrict an opposition and grind out his wickets.
Joshua Nelson
Club: Mudgeeraba Nerang
Stats: 701 runs at 43.81, top score 131, one century and four half centuries
A man who knows a thing or two about big scores. While Joshua Nelson has only be able to convert one of his starts into three figures, he frequently leads the charge for his side and more often than not will get a score of substance.
Jai Kurt
Club: Mudgeeraba Nerang
Stats: 25 wickets at 22.24, BB 5/13, one five wicket haul
In an attack who shares the workload brilliantly, Jai Kurt has found a way to rise above the pack. His 5/13 against Burleigh was quickly followed by a second innings 3/35 in a standout performance of his campaign.
Kushaal Ram
Club: Coomera Hope Island
Stats: 527 runs at 32.94, top score 94, three half centuries (two 90s and an 80)
A constant threat with the bat, however Kushaal Ram will be disappointed to not convert three brilliant stars into centuries. His three half centuries for the campaign included two scores in the 90s and an 80, highlighting his ability to get himself in and set only for his luck to run thin. Nevertheless Ram led the way for Coomera Hope Island, often with both bat and ball, despite slumping to ninth on the ladder.
Joshua Henderson
Club: Coomera Hope Island
Stats: 26 wickets at 16.69, BB 5/53, one five wicket haul
Only once this season has Joshua Henderson gone wicketless, as he continues to set the standard for Coomera Hope Island. While just the one five wicket haul stands against his name, that simply highlights his consistency at this level taking at least two wickets on eight occasions.
Mitchell Freeman
Club: Queens
Stats: 452 runs at 30.13, top score 65, five half centuries
Was constantly in the runs, just simply unable to kick on to a truly big score. Mitchell Freeman led the way for Queens with five half centuries, however his high score of 65 paints the picture of his season so much promise, just falling short at really capitalising. But in a team who often struggled against the competition leaders, it was Freeman who inspired some fight in his side.
Sam Chapman
Club: Queens
Stats: 25 wickets at 13.76, BB 7/16, one five wicket haul
A consistent performer throughout the campaign who has one of the spells of the season to his credit. Sam Chapman’s 7/16 against Burleigh stole the show in his sides victory, and given the youngster has still lined up at times in the under-18s looks to have a bright future on the Glitter Strip.
Nathan Reardon
Club: Surfers Paradise
Stats: 308 runs at 44, top score 73, three half centuries
The Demons sorely missed the former Australian international in the back end of the season. Nathan Reardon only took to the field for seven matches this Summer, however still went on to score three half centuries at rapid rates. Kept his side in the fight throughout their early season losses, and his presence was missed in Surfers Paradise.
Michael Waldren
Club: Surfers Paradise
Stats: 22 wickets at 22.55, BB 4/35
Surfers Paradise may have struggled throughout the summer, but Michael Waldren has continued to perform. While he was unable to claim a five wicket haul, he kept probing throughout the season even with his back against the wall.
Trent Keep
Club: Broadbeach Robina
Stats: 489 runs at 44.45, top score 120, one century and five half centuries
A concussion sustained at training proved the end of Trent Keep’s cricket career, but before he went down he was sure to make his season count. The former Gold Coast Dolphins star has a history with head knocks from his Aussie Rules days, but his consistency at the crease never wavered. His six scores of 50+ led the competition, while he was also able to chip in with 21 wickets.
Adam Ball
Club: Broadbeach Robina
Stats: 36 wickets at 15.19, BB 7/46, two five wicket hauls
The second leading wicket taker in the competition, and when you consider he has also been a threat with the bat it could be argued Adam Ball is among the region’s finest all rounders. The Cats star’s 36 wickets have come economically, with his 7/46 best figures following a first innings return of 4/36. His 11 wickets for that clash against Helensvale Pacific Pines stands as arguably the best effort of the season.
Scott Sanderson
Club: Burleigh
Stats: 431 runs at 28.73, top score 82, three half centuries
Scott Sanderson typically saved his best for the Gold Coast’s leading sides. Of his three half centuries, his top scores of 82 and 76 came against finals sides Broadbeach Robina and Palm Beach Currumbin respectively, typifying his love for performing when the going was at its toughest.
Sam Yabsley
Club: Burleigh
Stats: 18 wickets at 21.5, BB 5/52, one five wicket haul
Burleigh were regularly out played by the heavyweights on the competition, but Sam Yabsley continued to probe. His best figures of 5/52 came in a brilliant game for the quick, given he backed up that effort with another three second innings wickets.
Corey Galloway
Club: Alberton Ormeau
Stats: 381 runs at 31.75, top score 81, two half centuries + 28 wickets at 15.96, BB 5/49, one five wicket haul
One of the leading all rounders in the competition did so as his side continued to stay in the finals hunt. Corey Galloway led from the front with bat and ball for the Hurricanes, taking his 28 wickets economically while blasting runs for fun frequently. While unable to regular convert his starts his was still regularly in the runs, and he finishes the 7th leading wicket taker across the Taper Premier league.
Harry Lickiss
Club: Helensvale Pacific Pines
386 runs at 25.73, top score 117, one century and four half centuries + 44 wickets at 12.89, BB 6/15, four five wicket hauls
The competition’s leading wicket taker who knew how to capitalise on his starts with the bat. As Helensvale Pacific Pines gained momentum heading towards the finals, Harry Lickiss was front and centre of everything. His 44 wickets came extremely economically while opening the bowling for the Hawks, while his five scores of 50+ including a brilliant 117 spoke volumes of his all around abilities. A contender for player of the season.
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Joel Harrison
Club: Runaway Bay
Stats: 365 runs at 28.08, top score 100, one century
Runaway Bay’s lone century maker, Joel Harrison finally converted a promising start into a big score towards the back end of the season. Peeling off a patient hundred in 195 balls before being run out, Harrison had been building towards something special off the back of scores of 46 and 38 in the lead up. Got better as the campaign went on.
Steven Graham
Club: Runaway Bay
Stats: 34 wickets at 14.35, BB 4/8
At one point Steven Graham appeared on track to storm to the competition’s leading wicket takers mantle. In the end he finished third, but the Runaway Bay quick was still among the most consistent performers in the competition. While he did not take a five wicket haul, Graham took four wickets on three occasions and three in three other spells only once failing to make a breakthrough.
Will Hale
Club: Southport Labrador
Stats: 509 runs at 36.36, top score 84, four half centuries
Will Hale was largely responsible for keeping the Tigers competitive against some heavyweights of the competition. His four half centuries all came in the final eight games of the season, with two scores over 30 also featured in his late-season run.
Mitchell Johnson
Club: Southport Labrador
Stats: 32 wickets at 14.35, BB 5/20, two five wicket hauls
Not to be mistaken for the former Australian Test legend, however you could be forgiven considering his season exploits. Mitchell Johnson led the charge for Southport Labrador to claim 32 wickets fifth in the competition and did so with plenty of pace for a young man. Looks set to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come as a Tiger.
Adam Zurvas
Club: Magpies Cricket Club
Stats: 500 runs at 50.0 average
With over 400 games under his belt for the Magpies Zurvas is on a career best year this season with the grand final approaching this weekend.
Isaac Borg
Club: Magpies Cricket Club
Stats: 17 wickets @ 27.7 average
Only missing one game for the magpies this summer Borg has been ferocious in attack with his best odds coming in the last round of the season with a 5/18 wicket haul.
Lochi Whitehead
Club: Pioneer Valley
Stats: 289 Runs at 36.1 average
Whiteheads role fluctuated weekly for the Valley going from opener to mid order batsmen when needed but one thing that never changed was his consistency to find the boundary.
Alistair Houghton
Club: Pioneer Valley
Stats: 14 Wickets at 37.4
Houghton was the leading wicket taker for a Pioneer Valley side that only saw eight games across the 10 game season. Houghton brought pace and bounce with the ball with his best coming in round 9 with a 4/41 haul
Shaun Austin
Club: Souths Sharks
Stats: 443 runs at 49.2 average
Floris Duvenhage
Club: Souths Sharks
Stats: 15 wickets at 24.8 average
Deuvenhage had the most overs for the Sharks this season and certainly delivered on consistency only going without a wicket in two games all year long.
Matthew Wicks
Club: Brothers Cricket Club
Stats: 258 runs at 36.8 average
Another star who didn’t play every game Matt Wicks was instrumental in so many run chases throughout the season including a 98 run haul to steady his side to victory in round eight.
Mitchell Wadsworth
Club: Brothers Cricket Club
Stats: 24 wickets at 27.2 average
The best bowler in the league all season long Mitchell Wadsworth was as destructive to teams middle orders as a wicketkeeper is to a gatorade after a day of play with multiple three and four wicket hauls.
Mason Kohler
Club: Norths Cricket Club
Stats: 174 runs at 24.8 average
Runs weren’t the strongest part of the North’s season in 2023 with Mason Kohler being the best of the bunch at 174 total. One of the stronger batsmen in the religion Kohler competed at the state championships at the end of 2022
Adam Carvolth
Club: Norths Cricket Club
Stats: `11 wickets at 22.7 average
The wickets were spread thin this season for the Norths however Carvolth’s final performance of a five wicket performance cemented his spot as the best in 2023.
Peter Blaik
Club: Walkerston Cricket Club
Stats: 227 runs at 28.4 average
Blaik was a standout for Walkerston this season alongside Sam Vasallo. Blaik’s highest score came with a century in round 2.
Nicholas Lortaski
Club: Walkerston Cricket Club
Stats: 14 Wickets at 25.8
Another club that seemed to share the bowling load Lortaski just edged out on top with best figures of five for 31 in round 2.
Glen Batticciotto
Club: Caboolture Sports Cricket Club
Stats: 799 total runs from 15 innings averaging 66.58.
Batticciotto proved once again this season why he is the competition’s best batsman. The former Queensland Bulls star was consistent and stylish throughout the season. With a complete duffel bag of crafty shot selections at the top of the order, the left handed batsman continued to let his class and precision do the talking in front of the stumps.
Preston White
Club: Caboolture Sports Cricket Club
Stats: 40 wickets from 185.4 overs averaging 11.08
White was the complete player from the 2022/23 season performing well at the top of the order with the bat while also picking up the most wickets of the competition. Ranking as the best batsman behind Batticciotto and the competitions tied best bowler it’s easy to see why the extremely reliable Caboolture competitor was able to keep his side at the top of the table this season.
Matthew Watson
Club: Maroochydore Cricket Club
Stats: 411 total runs from 16 innings averaging 25.69.
Watson took his game to another level this season, batting at the top and through the middle order. The crafty youngster also took the most wicketkeeper catches for the season with 21.
Luke McInnes
Club: Maroochydore Cricket Club
Stats: 40 wickets from 206.4 overs averaging 8.75
Leading Swans bowler Luke McInnes once again proved himself as one of the competition’s leading wicket-takers finishing the year in tied first alongside Caboolture’s Preston White. The medium pace star burst onto the season in 2020 and has established himself among the top names. A round 18 6/26 was the 26-year-olds best performance.
Ben Laughlin
Club: Tewantin-Noosa Cricket Club
Stats: 456 total runs from 13 innings averaging 35.08.
In just his second season with the club, Laughlin was promoted up the order for the T20 competition before cementing and earning his place up top for the remainder of the season. The former Australian and Big Bash star finished the regular season with the most sixes (36) of any player in the competition.
Tom Stewart
Club: Tewantin-Noosa Cricket Club
Stats: 32 wickets from 163.1 overs averaging 15.28
In what is one of the competitions best bowling attacks, Tewantin-Noosa’s opening paceman stood tall this season to again prove himself as a force to be reckoned with. Stewart was able to claim some very big wickets in all formats this season and rightly stamped his foot in the conversation for the competition’s best bowlers.
Trent Riddell
Club: Gympie Cricket Club
Stats: 562 total runs from 15 innings averaging 40.14.
Gympie wicketkeeper and opening batsman Trent Riddell led from the front this season after he was handed the captaincy following an early season injury to Jared Sippel. Riddell chalked up his maiden century in round 11 scoring 123 from 127 balls and also helped set a new club record for highest opening partnership of 209.
Thomas White
Club: Gympie Cricket Club
Stats: 28 wickets from 166.2 overs averaging 18.29
White finished the year among the competition’s top 10 first grade bowlers and helped Gympie claw their way into the finals for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
Brendan Kelly
Club: Coolum Cricket Club
Stats: 325 total runs from 18 innings averaging 19.12.
In his first year with Coolum, former Caloundra and Sunshine Coast Scorchers star Brendan Kelly, was a standout performer for his side. The opening batsman proved vital in close games and could turn the tide with a few big shots.
Corey Perren
Club: Coolum Cricket Club
Stats: 25 wickets from 166.5 overs averaging 19.40
Paceman Corey Perren was again a shining light in Coolum’s bowling attack this season picking up big wickets when it mattered. The ex-Nambour star was consistent in picking off big scalps when playing on his team’s home wicket.
Daniel Cahill
Club: Glasshouse Districts Cricket Club
Stats: 477 total runs from 13 innings averaging 36.69.
Top order Glasshouse batsman was a star performer this season. Cahill’s precise shot selection was a joy to watch, hitting 70 fours and just three sixes in all competitions this season.
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Nathan Van Eekeren
Club: Glasshouse Districts Cricket Club
Stats: 28 wickets from 177 overs averaging 20.57
Fresh Glasshouse recruit Van Eekeren proved himself as a player to watch for future seasons after relocating from Bundaberg at the start of the season. The talented left-handed batsman and dominant seam bowler picked up a handy 7/71 in round 15.
William Carlile
Club: Caloundra Cricket Club
Stats: 401 total runs from 11 innings averaging 40.10.
In his 11 innings this season Carlile proved as a shining light for his Caloundra side. The talented batsman is certainly one to watch for future seasons.
Matthew Tebb
Club: Caloundra Cricket Club
Stats: 24 wickets from 148.5 overs averaging 21.92
Caloundra captain Matthew Tebb was again a star performer for the black and gold, picking up crucial wickets and providing game changing swings for his side throughout the season.
Steven Ledger
Club: Nambour Cricket Club
Stats: 676 runs from 13 innings averaging 52.00
The competition leading ever run scorer added to his tally this season with some major performances in front of the stumps. Ledger’s greatest performance came in round 17 where he scored 195 off 153 balls.
James Winn
Club: Nambour Cricket Club
Stats: 16 wickets from 126.4 overs averaging 24.69
The Nambour first grade side did it tough this year with just four wins all season but star bowler James Winn served as a shining light for his side. The dynamic bowler stood tall against the competition’s best batsman all season and was rewarded with a cool 5/33 in the final round of the regular season.
Joe McGahan
Club: Frenchville Falcons
Stats: 20 wickets at 8.10
The right-armer is one of the quickest bowlers in the A-grade competition. He bowls a heavy ball and gets a steep bounce in his deliveries, which makes him hard to attack. This year he bagged a five-for against The Glen.
Lachlan Hartley
Club: Frenchville Falcons
Stats: 254 at an average of 28.22
The opening batsman has all the shots in the book. He plays with plenty of aggression, and is a consistent performer, regularly batting deep into Frenchville’s innings. Hartley has a strike rate of 87.9, with his highest score a classy 86 against Cap Coast Parkana in Round 1.
Harrison Rideout
Club: The Glen
Stats: 18 wickets at 11.44
The left-arm paceman opens the bowling. He is deadly accurate and is hard for opposition batters to put away. He bagged his season best figures of 6/22 against Frenchville in Round 5 of the competition.
Waqar Yunus
Club: The Glen
Stats: 233 runs at 33.29
Coming in at three, Yunus constantly anchors The Glen’s innings. He has the ability to rotate the strike, taking ones and twos. He is a consistent performer, having scored three half centuries this season.
Riley Connor
Club: Rockhampton Brothers
Stats: 13 wickets at 21.62
Connor is relishing his role as captain of the A-grade team this season. A right-arm medium pacer, he generally comes on as a first or second change bowler. He can land the ball on a dime, and there is rarely a game when he doesn’t bag a wicket or two.
Bow Connor
Club: Rockhampton Brothers
Stats: 217 runs for an average of 27.13
Connor has developed into one of the competition’s best openers. He can attack when he gets the chance or go on the defensive when needed. His best score was an impressive 69 not out against The Glen.
Adam Van Bael
Club: Gracemere
Stats: 12 wickets at 18.92
The left-arm off-spinner bowls consistent areas, with his variation in pace and flight his greatest strengths. He is a consistent wicket taker and is generally brought into the attack to slow the run rate down. Best figures of 4/17 in Round 13.
Luke Johnstone
Club: Gracemere
Stats: 225 runs for an average of 32.14
Johnstone’s move from opener to number four has proven a master stroke. He is patient when he needs to be but also willing to go after any bad ball. His highest score this season was 73 not out against Cap Coast Parkana.
Lachlan Ferry
Club: Cap Coast Parkana
Stats: 11 wickets at 34.27
The right-arm medium pacer bowls with good variation, and his enthusiasm and confidence helps put his team on the front foot. Best figures of 3/40 in Round 11.
Jack Humphreys
Club: Cap Coast Parkana
Stats: 285 runs at an average of 31.67
A stylish batsman with a solid technique, Humphreys comes in at three or four. He has a fantastic eye and is consistent with the willow, with his highest scores this season 69, 64 and 58.
Originally published as 100+ names: QLD’s best grassroot cricketers revealed in 2023
