NSW Players Star at Australian Country Cricket Championships

(Pictured: Emma-Jayne Howe was named Female Player of the Championships)

The Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships have concluded in the Barossa Valley, with the Bush Breakers going down to Queensland in the semi-finals. 

The Bush Breakers won eight of their ten round matches, highlighted by back-to-back eight-wicket wins over Victoria and the East Asia-Pacific Development Squad, respectively. The Bush Breakers’ consistency over the competition saw them finish second on the ladder ahead of the finals, four points behind Victoria.  

Despite some individual heroics from Jayden Zahra-Smith (141) and Dylan Hunter (131) across the competition, the Bush Blues struggled to find consistent form, picking up just three wins from their nine matches.  

Greater Hunter Coast’s Emma-Jayne How was named Female Player of the Championships while the Bush Blues were recognised for their sportsmanship, receiving the Spirt of Cricket Award.  

NSW had four players named in the Female and Male Teams of the Year: 

• Kira Churchland (C) | sixth highest run scorer 

• Dylan Hunter | fourth highest run scorer 

• Jayden Zahra-Smith | third highest run scorer 

• Jake O’Connell | second highest wicket taker 

NSW statistics leaders | 2024/25 Australian Country Cricket Championships: 

NSW Country Men’s leading run scorers  

1. Jayden Zahra-Smith – 294 runs | 32.67 average | 141 top score 

1. Dylan Hunter 287 runs | 31.89 average | 130 top score  

1. Kerrod White – 182 runs | 20.22 average | 44 top score 

NSW Country Men's leading wicket takers 

1. Jake O’Connell – 17 wickets | 14.71 average | 6-41 best bowling 

1. Mac Webster – 8 wickets | 26.5 average | 4-65 best bowling 

1. Dylan Hunter – 8 wickets | 26.88 average | 5-17 best bowling 

NSW Country Women’s leading run scorers 

1. Kira Churchland – 195 runs | 39 average | 60 top score 

1. Kelly Rowlings 189 runs | 18.9 average | 47 top score  

1. Claire McGuirk – 158 runs | 19.75 average | 42 top score  

 NSW Country Women’s leading wicket takers 

1. Emma-Jayne Howe – 11 wickets | 7.18 average | 4-7 best bowling 

1. Abbey Taylor – 9 wickets | 15 average | 3-15 best bowling 

1. Maddison Spence – 7 wickets | 13.43 average | 2-9 best bowling 

See all the results from the tournament: HERE