The Greater Northern Cup has concluded an entertaining regular season, with finals in the new year, which went down to the wire thanks to some great individual performances.
The Examiner takes a look at some of the stand-out players from the regular season.
Samuel Elliston-Buckley (340 runs at 37.78)
The swashbuckling opener may be able to lay claim to being the most dynamic batter in the Cricket North and his performances in the Greater Northern Cup underline that.
When his approach comes off Elliston-Buckley is incredibly difficult to stop as the hard-hitting Lion tends to find the rope at will in full flight as one of the only batters striking over 100 this campaign.
He's found consistency at the latter part of the Greater Northern Cup with four half-centuries from five innings, including a top-score of 84 against Westbury.
Nathan Parkin (327 at 54.50)
One of Westbury's key leaders, the opening batter has found his rhythm at the top of the order for the ladder leaders.
Despite fewer innings than most, the opener sits comfortably in the top 10 run-scorers on account of his consistency and low-risk approach at the crease.
Parkin's top score of 89* against Launceston anchored his team to a memorable victory as he showed his temperament and composure to carry his bat.
(C) Tyler Dell (515 at 73.57)
The Devonport Orions' skipper is the form batter of this year's competition with few others in his league. Dell peeling off three centuries, including two consecutively against Riverside and Launceston in the Greater Northern.
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Dell is a match-winner and often at the heart of the Orions' victories this season. With a considerable highlight reel this campaign, Dell saved his highest-score for Latrobe with a boundary-laden 119* to see the Orions to victory
Nathan Philip (442 at 63.16)
When Philip fires, South Launceston usually find themselves on the path to victory. A powerful hitter in the middle-order, few grounds can contain Philip when he finds his timing. Carved up Burnie and Sheffield for identical 111* in consecutive weeks and was close to a third ton in round one with 99 against the Lions.
Gregg Sharman (424 at 42.40)
A veteran in the competition, Sharman is a class act in the middle-order for Wynyard. As the Tigers found their mojo, so did Sharman, registering five half-centuries, including three consecutively in the final rounds with some glittering strokeplay.
Marc Simonds (315 at 39.38, 14 wickets)
One of Sheffield's main men, Simonds has been in the thick of it with bat and ball this season. Simonds' bowling puts him in over a few other middle-order options as does his ability to finish an innings as he showed against Mowbray with 86 not out to seal the points.
(WK) Peter New (206 at 51.50, 12 catches five stumpings)
Despite a side loaded with wicket-keepers, New's season behind the stumps has been exemplary.
New has saved Riverside from collapsing more than once this season as a stable hand batting with the lower-order. The Riverside keeper's work to the spin of Ramesh Sundra and Co. is up there as the best in the competition.
Jackson Miller (16 wickets at 20.13)
With ball and bat, Miller adds some strength to the lower-order while being a talented and versatile bowler. Spent the season operating in the gruelling middle-overs which has become a vital role to any side's success.
Kieren Hume (18 wickets at 11.50)
Westbury are blessed with some handy bowling options and Hume tops this list after a stand-out Greater Northern campaign. Leads the wicket-taking for Cricket North sides, the spinner is in equal parts economical as he is lethal, exhibiting great control over his delivery.
Ben Spinks (16 wickets at 18)
Spinks has been Mowbray's shining light with the new-ball despite the Eagles exiting the Greater Northern without a finals appearance. Demonstrated excellent control and stands as the leader of the attack, willing to take on the best batters in the competition and often came out on top.
Shaun Redman (24 wickets at 9.83)
The North-West Coast speedster has been in devastating touch with the ball. Burnie's chief destroyer has a knack of striking early and often removing the opposition's best batter. Redman was never out of the wickets in this campaign with two four-wicket hauls.
Honourable mentions: Matthew Battle, Joshua Walmsley, Brodie Hayes, Michael Lukic and Joel Lloyd.
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Adam Daunt
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
