2026/27 Scholars

William Byrom

Pace Bowler 

Northern District  

Will is a highly promising young fast bowler who gained national attention through his standout performances for the Australian U19 team at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Namibia. His remarkable spell against Sri Lanka, in which he claimed 5 for 14 from 6.5 overs and helped bowl the opposition out for a tournament-record low score of 58, underlined his potential, while his impact with the new ball and early breakthroughs earned him Player of the Match honours. 

Blake Cattle

Batter 

Keira & Illawarra 

Blake is a highly regarded young cricketer from Wollongong who has quickly emerged as one of the leading batting talents in Australia’s junior pathways. Blake has represented NSW Country, selected Cricket Australia’s U19 Men’s Talent Camp, and has broken longstanding records for his local club, Keira Cricket Club, including a score of 236 in First Grade. A dominant performer in the Under-17 Watson Shield, with multiple consecutive centuries, Blake has represented NSW Country at the U17 National Championships and was awarded the inaugural Nathan Lyon Medal as Player of the Bradman Cup.  

Yash Deshmukh

All-rounder 

Fairfield-Liverpool 

Yash is an emerging all-rounder representing Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club in Sydney Premier Cricket. A dynamic right-handed batter and right-arm leg-spinner capable of contributing across top- and middle-order roles, Yash led the NSW U17 Metro side to a National Championship title and was named Player of the Final. He has established himself as a notable talent within Australia’s junior pathways, including captaining the Australian U19 side against India.  

Ava Drury

Bowler 

Central Coast & Northern District 

Ava is a talented left-arm orthodox bowler from the Central Coast. At just 17, she has already represented Australia at the U19 level in Tri-series tournaments, earning Player of the Match honours while competing in Sri Lanka last season. A consistent performer within the Country pathway, Ava has progressed from NSW Country U16s through to U19s and established herself as a key figure in the program. She is also a regular contributor for Northern District Cricket Club in First Grade of the Sydney Women’s Premier Cricket competition.  

Austin Hunt

Bowler 

Dubbo CYMS & Manly Warringah 

Austin is a highly promising young cricketer from Dubbo and is regarded as one of the state’s leading emerging fast-bowling prospects. A right-arm fast bowler, he has progressed rapidly through the NSW elite junior pathways through selection in the NSW Country U17 team and NSW Country U19 Boys Cricket Academy squad, and a member of the NSW All Schools U15 team at the Australian Schools Championships. Austin plays for Dubbo CYMS and in Sydney’s premier U16 competition, the AW Green Shield, for Manly Warringah District Cricket Club.  

Shiloh Julien

Top order batter 

Baulkham Hills & Parramatta  

Shiloh is a stylish right hand top order batter who had an outstanding U16 Nationals in 2024/25, finishing as the second leading runs scorer in the tournament. Shiloh captained the team to a Nationals victory over Queensland which included a match winning innings of 74. In the 2025/26 season, Shiloh was elevated into the U19 State Squad and remains a member of this squad into 2026/27. Her selection in the most recent Australian U19 Tri-series provided international experience against England and Sri Lanka, and she is on track for selection consideration into the Australian U19 Squad for the World Cup in January 2027.  

Aurora Mavros

All-rounder 

Melonba & Campbelltown Camden 

Aurora is a very talented pace bowling all-rounder displaying her pace and accuracy at both the U19 and U16 National Championships in season 2025/26. Aurora has enormous potential across all skills and was rewarded with her selection in the most recent Australian U19 Tri-Series against England and Sri Lanka in April 2026. Aurora is on track for potential selection in the U19 World Cup in January 2027.  

Maisie Miller

All-rounder 

Central Coast & Northern District 

Maisie is a dynamic young all-rounder from the Central Coast, combining leg-spin with the ability to impact games with the bat. Her composure and maturity were evident at the 2025/26 U16 National Championships, finishing equal second in Player of the Tournament—an outstanding result as an U14. Maisie competes in her local U15 boys’ competition and also represents Northern District in Sydney Women’s Premier Cricket. With her work ethic, skill, and mindset, she is an exciting prospect for the future. 

Neel Patel

Batter 

UNSW 

Neel Patel is a highly promising cricketer widely regarded as one of the most exciting emerging batting talents in the country. An opening batter and off-spinner, he has advanced quickly through the elite junior ranks and established a reputation for prolific scoring and composure at the crease earning selection for the Cricket Australia U19 Men’s Talent Camp in Adelaide. Representing UNSW Cricket Club, at 16 years of age Patel became one of the youngest players in Sydney Premier Cricket First Grade history after scoring more than 1,000 runs in a single calendar year, and he has since recorded his maiden first grade century for UNSW.  

Willa Pearson

Wicket keeper/Batter 

Seaforth & Manly Warringah 

Willa is a talented athlete who is competitive in both cricket and football. Willa is a skilled wicket keeper with fast hands and effortless movements behind the stumps, whilst also demonstrating strong top order batting in Sydney Women’s Premier Cricket. This combination of skill and athletic abilities sees Willa as a cricketer of the future who has a desire to be the best.

Charlotte Shoemark

Bowler 

Bathurst & Western 

Charlotte is an exciting young all-rounder from Bathurst who continues to impress with her composure and skill. Selected to represent NSW Country at both the U16 and U19 National Championships last season as an U15 athlete, she demonstrated her ability as a key contributor in the top order and effectiveness with her medium pace bowling. Competing locally in Bathurst, Charlotte plays in junior mixed teams and senior men’s competitions, further enhancing her development in challenging environments. With a strong technical foundation and a genuine growth mindset, Charlotte is a player to watch for the future. 

Cooper Williams

Batter 

North Coast 

Cooper is a highly talented emerging cricketer from Caniaba, near Lismore in New South Wales. At 15 years old, his strong batting performance for NSW Country at the U17 National Championships demonstrated his standing as one of the nation’s most promising young prospects. Cooper has been invited to attend Cricket Australia’s U19 high-performance talent camp in Adelaide and was selected in the Cricket Australia U17 Men’s National Merit Team.