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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Originally published as Tasmania’s Emerging Tigers cricketers revealed
