The 2023 Gillette Cup kicks off this Sunday (17th Dec) in Lincoln, Christchurch. Only Otago Boys’ High School return from the 2022 tournament, meaning five new teams will get their chance on the national stage.
Matches will be scored live on nzc.nz as well as PlayHQ.
Read below for in-depth previews on each team.
Christchurch Boys’ HS:
Squad: Toby Robinson, Alex Kirkland, Callum Samson, Harry O'Loughlin, Ryan Samson, Jack Lough, Chris Ellison. Hanroux Wessels, Jack Dry, Nick Smith, Corbyn McClurg, Shamus McCulloch, Mitch Suddaby, Henry Rumball.
Coaches / Staff: Rob Smith, Denis Aberhart, Nick Cooke.
Preview: Gillette Cup powerhouse Christchurch Boys’ HS will represent Christchurch at nationals, totaling 15 appearances at the tournament – and remarkably winning 11 national titles.
The 2023 CBHS squad had to navigate defending Gillette Cup champions, Christ's College, to qualify - chasing down 212 runs with 4 wickets remaining. Jack Dry (3 wickets) and Ryan Samson (42*) the standouts for their side.
CBHS made their way to Sydney in the recent school holidays, allowing their players the opportunity to play on quality facilities against strong opposition. The challenge of this trip, as well as their weekly contests in a strong 1st XI competition in Christchurch will surely hold them in good stead.
CBHS have four Canterbury U19 players in their squad, namely; Chris Ellison, Alex Kirkland, Toby Robinson and Nick Smith. Year 11 student, Hanroux Wessels, and Year 13, Jack Lough, will also be players to watch.
“We have built nicely over the year and looking forward to this final chapter. It is a great opportunity to sign the year off at the Gillette Cup. Congratulations to all the schools who have qualified for the Gillette Cup this year. We are expecting a tough and exciting competition” – Rob Smith (Coach).
Otago Boys’ HS:
Squad: Zac Cumming, Hassaan Farooqi, Lewis Garden, Oliver Garden, Ashton Hansen, Daniel Lawrence, Luke Marsh, Charlie Ottrey, William Thode, Ben Turnbull, Ollie Turnbull, Jack Ussher, Hamish Wilson.
Coaches / Staff: Hunter Kindley, Nathan King, Kent Twaites.
Preview: Another South Island cricketing powerhouse, Otago Boys HS, will make a record 20th appearance at the 2023 Gillette Cup Nationals.
Otago Boys’ will bring a well-balanced side to nationals, led by NZ U19 representative Zac Cumming. Cumming has impressed for Otago & NZ U19 both with the bat and with his leg-spin, and will be key to the southerners’ hopes of success.
With nine players returning from the 2022 tournament, the team will be aware of what lies ahead and are reportedly excited to put their skills to the test.
Look for year 12 all-rounder, Luke Marsh, to make an impact both with the bat and the ball. Wicketkeeper-bat Charlie Ottrey has impressed in a handful of appearances at Hawke Cup level, and will be another looking to make an impact with the bat.
Zac Cumming (OBHS) in action at NZU19 training - @photosportnz
Palmerston North Boys’ HS:
Squad: Ethan Campbell, Matthew Campbell, Max Culleton, Kieran Gill, Max Hart, Daniel Lampp, Jordin Last-Harris, Oliver Murray, Van Prenter, Alex Pringle, Jerome Robinson, Matthew Rowe, Riveen Samarasekara.
Coaches / Staff: Scott Davidson, Grant McQueen-Davies.
Preview: Palmerston Boys’ return to the Gillette Cup for the first time since 2018. The school holds a rich history at the tournament (including winning the first ever tournament) and will be keen to continue that tradition.
PNBHS will bring a squad of mostly year 13 students, who have been playing with each other for a number of years. NZ U19 representative, Matt Rowe, spearheads a well-rounded bowling attack – and will be a challenge for opposing batters to deal with.
Matt Rowe, Ethan Campbell, Jerome Robinson, and Van Prenter recently attended Gillette U19 Nationals with CD, and should be in good touch heading into the Gillette Cup.
St Peter’s Cambridge:
Squad: Benji Bell, Ryan Harvey, William Jacobson, Baxter Smith, Cameron O'Leary, Flynn Morey, Max Mitchell, George Harris, Xavier Bell, Archie Louden, Kees Butler, Nicholas Greaney, James Thomas.
Coaches / Staff: Anton Devcich, Matthew Markham.
Preview: St Peter’s Cambridge will make their second-ever appearance at Gillette Cup this year, bringing an experienced squad of mostly year 13 students.
St Peter’s have also enjoyed an away trip to Australia this year and play in the local Hamilton men’s premier club competition. This experience should serve the team well heading into a competitive Gillette Cup.
Xavier Bell at the top of the order is one to watch, as is the hard-hitting wicketkeeper-bat, Cam O’Leary. Benji Bell will be essential to his team through the middle overs with his leg-spin.
SPCS will hold an added edge of having former BLACKCAP and Northern Districts legend, Anton Devcich, as head coach.
Matt Rowe (PNBHS) training with NZU19 Men - @photosportnz
Wellington College:
Squad: Dylan McArdle, Ari Bonar, Kavin Cumarasundaram, Sam Doig, William Julian, Harry Law, Gaurav Navalkar, Jack Pettit, Boston Thurlow, Ryan Tsourgas, Alex Vannucci, Archie Sims, Lucas Henderson.
Coaches / Staff: Tyler Byers, Simon Law.
Preview: Wellington College return to the Gillette Cup after taking out Hutt International Boys’ School in their regional qualifier. Ari Bonnar was the star for WC, scoring a century (117) and grabbing two wickets (2-7) to help secure a 60-run victory.
NZ U19 representatives Will Julian and Ryan Tsourgas will be players to keep an eye on. Julian is a hard-hitting opener with the ability to take the game away from a side, while Tsourgas will take the new ball with his right-arm pace.
Year 13 students - Ari Bonnar and captain Dylan McArdle – both recently represented Wellington U19 alongside Julian & Tsourgas. They will both bat in the top order and bowl important overs for their side.
"The team is excited and looking forward to showcasing their skills and talents against the best secondary school teams and players. They have worked really hard over the year to get to this point. The boys play for each other and many of them are finishing their final season at Wellington College. They will be wanting to finish on a high. We have a lot of support for the team and everyone will be backing them" – Tyler Byers (Coach).
Will Julian (left) has been a standout at the top of the Wellington College order - @photosportnz
Westlake Boys’ HS:
Squad: Cambell Brighouse, Ryan Coetzee, Toby Douglas, Ethan Holman, Luke Harrison, Logan Ferguson, Connor Maccarthy-Morrogh, Brandon Matzopoulos, Nishil Patel, Matthew Ross, Darcy Taylor, Jordan Van Zyl, Vikramaditya Varadarajan.
Coaches / Staff: Paul Strang, Steven Cole, Gareth Edwards.
Westlake Boys’ bring a youthful squad to nationals, with only four year 13 students in their squad.
The young side have shown they are more than ready to compete at nationals – performing well in a strong Auckland 1st XI competition, before claiming a 12-run victory over Mount Albert Grammar in their regional final.
Stand out performances in that match from Brandon Matzopoulos (87 runs) & Jordan Van Zyl (4/42 & 31 runs) saw WBHS past last year’s qualifiers.
Auckland U19 squad member, Matthew Ross, will be vital for WBHS – bowling handy overs and batting in the middle order. Captain Cambell Brighouse has been in good touch with the bat and will be another key to Westlakes championship hopes.
