2026/27 Basil Sellers Scholars Announced

The program, made possible by the generosity of Cricket NSW Vice Patron and Life Member, Basil Sellers AO, provides a cohort of the state’s most promising players with skills and opportunities to further their transition to elite cricket. 

The 2026-27 Basil Sellers Emerging Player Program participants are: 

William Byrom (Northern District CC) 

Blake Cattle​ (Illawarra & Keira CC) 

Yash Deshmukh​ (Fairfield-Liverpool CC) 

Ava Drury​ (Central Coast & Northern District CC) 

Austin Hunt​ (Dubbo DYMS CC & Manly Warringah CC) 

Shiloh Julien​ (Parramatta WGCC & Baulkham Hills CC) 

Aurora Mavros​ (Campbelltown Camden CC & Melonba CC) 

Maisie Miller​ (Central Coast & Northern District CC) 

Neel Patel​ (UNSW CC) 

Willa Pearson​ (Manly Warringah CC & Seaforth CC) 

Charlotte Shoemark​ (Bathurst & Western) 

Cooper Williams​ (North Coast) 

Scholars will receive support across a range of areas, including leadership and mindset development, access to Cricket NSW high-performance facilities, financial support and an equipment sponsorship offer from Kookaburra Sports.   

The program is administered by the Cricket NSW Foundation and Cricket Performance team. 

Cricket NSW Chief Cricket Performance Officer, Greg Mail, said: 

“For 20 years, Basil Sellers’ support has been integral to the development of a generation of elite cricketers. 

“Of the 179 scholars to have participated in the program, 99 have gone on to play professional cricket, with 26 representing Australia, including some of our sport’s biggest names – Pat Cummins, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Steve Smith.

“We look forward to welcoming the 21st cohort of scholars to Cricket Central this year and thank Basil for his commitment to our elite pathways and participants.” 

Cricket NSW Foundation Director, Moises Henriques, said: 

“The Basil Sellers Emerging Player Program is a testament to what one person’s generosity and vision can do for a sport. 

“Basil’s belief in young cricketers, long before the world knows their names, is truly special. His continued engagement with each cohort of scholars makes this program far more than a financial contribution - it is personal, purposeful, and makes a real difference. 

“Having played professional cricket for so long, I know that success in this game never comes without support. Programs like this provide a platform for cricketers to develop on and off the field while lessening the financial burden on them and their families. 

“The Cricket NSW Foundation thanks Basil for his ongoing support of our next generation of cricketers, and we wish every scholar success in their careers.”

To find out more about the Basil Sellers Emerging Scholarship and read player profiles of the latest inductees, click here.