Page 78 - WPHCC 2023-2024 Cricket Season Yearbook

Neel Reddy – Neel was our new addition to the team and were we glad to have him. He was our leading wicket taker and won the team’s Best Bowler. His quiet demeanor was deceiving as he became one of our top bowlers and contributed with the bat with his quick runs on the board.
Rohan Shiju – Rohan had a good start to the season. Although he missed a few games in the second half of the season he would always show up for training. Powerful with the bat when he got his eye in, scoring quick runs.
Ryan Redhead – Ryan also showed improvements with his bowling and fielding this season. Ryan’s commitment and dedication to the team despite his other sporting commitments was exemplary. He could have easily opted not to play for cricket to be fresh for his afternoon athletics but still showed up to almost every game and gave it his best.
Coach: PAUL HIGHAM Manager: MANU SATHA
U16/17
It has been nothing short of magnificent, the achievement that the U17 team delivered throughout the season, which culminated with them being declared premiers for the 2023-24 season. It is a just reward for the team who had been the most consistent and well-balanced throughout the Under 17 competition. The players are to be congratulated, not only on winning the Final, but also in the spirit they went about it. This was evident in the semi-final when a Berowra batsman was given out from an obvious no-ball, but the team recalled the batsman and allowed him to continue batting. Few teams would have done this, especially considering it being in such an important game, a knockout final.
Unlike some teams we have played throughout the years of junior cricket, the team did not rely on one or two players for the team’s success. Instead, it was a whole team effort throughout the season that secured the team a spot in the finals and ultimately their premiership. From one week to the next it was someone different taking the wickets, scoring the runs or taking the spectacular catch that changed the game in our favour. Each week you would turn up confident that the team would do well, but never knowing whose turn it was to do something special in the game.
The players in the team enjoyed and respected the talents and attributes that each individual player brought to the team. Many times in the field they found themselves sledging more each other than the opposition, which often had the opposition players and coaches both bewildered and amused at the banter taking place. For us as coaches, it was just reflective of a healthy group of teenagers enjoying their cricket and each other.
In the finals the team played their best two games of the year, with near perfect fielding and bowling in both the first innings setting up the wins. Even in the Final when Castle Hill was 2- 97 at the break, the players did not give up or drop their heads, but persisted in what they knew they had to do and what had worked in the past. The result of their committed and focussed efforts was them going on to bowl Castle Hill out for only 117 runs. At the break, it was thought that if we could keep Castle Hill under 200 runs, we might have a chance. In the end the team easily made the runs, in less than 40 overs and 5 wickets to spare. A dominant display.
A lot of success during the season was delivered by our bowlers. Possessing a good mix of pace and spin, our bowling attack had good depth and flexibility. Congratulations to Harrison on receipt of the Bowling Award. He took 14 wickets at an average of 13 runs per wicket. His bowling at the death of the innings was invaluable, proving that a consistent line and length will always be effective. As well, Eamon had a strong season with the ball, especially in the finals, picking up 13 wickets with an average of 12.4 runs per wicket. He often provided a solid platform at the start of the innings with his