NSW impress at U19 Female Nationals

_{Pictured: 2025 U19 Female National Championship Team of the Tournament | Brad Ryan} 

NSW enjoyed a strong showing across the Championships, with both NSW Metro and NSW Country well represented in the Team of the Tournament.  

Metro set the benchmark throughout the competition, progressing through the round matches undefeated. Consistent contributions with bat and ball saw them assert early and build momentum as the competition progressed. 

That form carried into the semi-final against Victoria Country, where Metro produced a polished performance to win by seven wickets and secure a spot in the final. Facing long-time rivals Queensland, Metro were challenged in tricky conditions and ultimately fell short against a disciplined bowling attack. 

NSW Country had a tougher start, struggling for wins in the early rounds. Their breakthrough came in round four with a five-wicket win over Tasmania, sparking a surge of confidence. They carried that momentum through the final three matches, finishing sixth. 
 
NSW had four players named in the Team of the Tournament: 

• Kate McTaggart – NSW Country | Third highest run scorer
• Lucy Finn – NSW Metro | Fifth highest run scorer
• Hayley Zauch (WK) – NSW Metro | Second highest fielder 
• Olivia Callaghan – NSW Metro | Third highest wicket taker
• Ava Drury – NSW Country | Second highest wicket taker

NSW statistic leaders | 2025 U19 Female National Championships: 
 
NSW Metropolitan leading run-scorers 
1. Lucy Finn – 263 runs | 43.83 average | 105 top score 
2. Emily Powell – 215 runs | 35.83 average | 62 top score 
3. Olivia Callaghan – 168 runs | 24 average | 42 top score 
 
NSW Metropolitan leading wicket-takers 
1. Olivia Callaghan – 13 wickets | 11.92 average | 3-14 best bowling 
2. Juliette Morton – 13 wickets | 12.08 average | 4-28 best bowling 
3. Eliza Henry – 11 wickets | 7.45 average | 3-8 best bowling 
 
NSW Country leading run-scorers 
1. Kate McTaggart – 272 runs | 30.22 average | 74 top score 
2. Holly Toms – 202 runs | 22.44 average | 52 top score 
3. Charlotte Shoemark – 136 runs | 19.43 average | 36 top score 
 
NSW Country leading wicket-takers 
1. Ava Drury – 14 wickets | 17.86 average | 5-23 best bowling 
2. Nicola Hudson – 10 wickets | 14 average | 4-11 best bowling 
3. Holly Toms – 9 wickets | 12.67 average | 5-13 best bowling 
 
 
Cricket NSW would like to congratulate and thank our high-performance staff for their preparation and dedication to helping our pathways players be at their best for the National Championships. 

Cricket NSW extends its sincere thanks to the clubs, associations and councils across the Central Coast, Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie for their outstanding work in preparing facilities. 

See all the results from the tournament HERE.