The Western NSW Under-15 Carnivals came to a thrilling end last week, with Penrith claiming the boys’ title and Western Zone finally breaking through in the girls’ decider.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Aside from that team success a number of individuals from across the two carnivals’ combined 18 sides produced epic performances – tons, five-wicket hauls, strings of run outs, you name it it happened.
So, with that in mind, the Central Western Daily sports desk decided to trawl through the numbers – using some of what we watched as a guide as well – to pick our team of the tournament, a combined side from both the girls’ and boys’ carnivals.
For the record we’ve elected to pick five batters, an all-rounder, four bowlers and a wicketkeeper.
AIDEN KELLS (Penrith)
Topped the boys’ carnival in terms of run-scoring with 191 at an average of 63.67 and a top score of 126 not out. The tournament’s lone centurion, he also smashed 43 in his side’s grand final win, despite battling exhaustion from his ton – scored in sweltering conditions – the day before.
ABDUL RAHEEM (ACT Blue)
Was the next best in the boys’ run-scoring stakes, knocking up 143 at 71.50 for the carnival with a top score of 77, one of two half-centuries he scored.
BAILEY TEBBUTT (Penrith)
Finished third on the boys’ run-scoring stakes with 131 at 32.75, but what impressed us the most was his ability to score under pressure. Knocked up his top score of 78 to lead his Penrith side to grand final victory.
CLARE LEVINGS (ACT – captain)
Topped the girls’ run-scoring stakes with 163 at 163, she was only dismissed once, and produced a stunning, unbeaten effort in her top score of 95 not out. She’s not playing the all-rounder role in this side but she does provide a remarkable point of difference in that she took four wickets as well, and the gloves at times too. We’ve named her captain.
MORE IN CRICKET: Coyte and Middleton make hay while sun shines in Kiwi tour warm-up
ELOUISE WILLIAMS (Penrith)
Scored 127 runs at 42.33 with a highest score of 64 not out, a great carnival by anyone’s standards. She also made two other starts in a side that, results wise, didn’t quite reach their potential.
OSCAR SULTANA (Penrith)
Narrowly beat out Western’s grand final hero Amy Kreuzberger for the all-rounder’s spot, but his numbers were too hard to ignore. He knocked up 129 runs at an average of 43, with a top score of 60, and also snared five wickets at 17.6, taking best figures of 3-26.
SAM HIRST (Mosman – wicketkeeper)
Was the best-performaned gloveman across both carnivals, snaring four catches but also taking two crucial stumpings along the way. Didn’t have the best carnival with the bat, but is picked here for his glovework alone.
HARRISON COOPER (South Coast)
The boys’ tournament’s top wicket-taker, he finished with 15 scalps at a ridiculous average of 5.67 and with a strike rate of 15. He only took one five-wicket haul too, a nod to his consistency.
HARRIS HAIDER (North West Sydney)
Finished with 10 wickets in the boys’ tournament at 9.5 apiece, with one five wicket haul. That came on the third day under pressure, his side needed someone to stand up and lead them to the decider and he did so with 6-9.
DEBASIS DEY (North West Sydney)
Had a field day on the first two days, taking five-wicket hauls against South Coast and Blacktown. He continued that form on days three and four to finish the carnival with 14 scalps at 5.8 apiece.
ANNA WILSON-BROWN (Gordon Red)
Finished with eight wickets, which was less than a couple of other boys’ bowlers in contention, but her consistency gets her over the line having taken scalps on every day of the carnival, and doing so economically. Conceded just two runs an over with an average of 6.6 and best figures of 3-12.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below …