NDCC | Blackmail Newsletter

IT’S BEEN A FULL WEEK OF REP NEWS!

NSW selectors have named a 13-player squad for their 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season opener

against Western Australia at the WACA Ground from October 4-7.

The squad will be led by 562-Test wicket spinner Nathan Lyon in the absence of regular captain

Jack Edwards, who remains with Australia A for the one-day portion of its tour of India.

Sam Konstas returns to the Blues’ line up following the red ball component of the Australia A tour.

Tanveer Sangha and Lachlan Shaw remain in India with Edwards.

Viewers can tune into the match on Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au from 12:30pm AEST on

Saturday, October 4 and 1:30pm AEDT from Sunday, October 5 to Tuesday, October 7 following the

beginning of daylight savings.

Sheffield Shield Squad – NSW squad v Western Australia, October 4-7: Nathan Lyon (c), Ollie

Davies, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Ryan Hicks, Sam Konstas, Blake

Nikitaras, Kurtis Patterson, Ross Pawson, Will Salzmann, Charlie Stobo

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Congratulations to NDs Ava Drury on her success in Sri Lanka

Northern District’s Ava Drury has had a great start with the Australian U19s team on the tour in Sri

Lanka. While Sri Lanka has been too strong in the first two games Ava has had a great start to the

tour with some quality bowling.

Game One – Broke up the opening 88 run partnership with 2 wickets in her first over finishing with 2 for 23 off her 4 overs.

Game Two – finished with 3/24 removing the two openers quickly and at one point had 3 for 4 . Ava was

awarded the Quality player of the match. There are still 3 more T20s and a 50 over game to come.

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NDs CENTENARY MATCH AT MTO – SAT 4TH OCT 2025

Another milestone passes by in the Centenary year of the NDCC. Last weekend the Club

took on Randwick Petersham, replicating the game played on 3rd October 1925. Although unable to

celebrate the occasion in the new pavilion (due for completion in mid-Dec), the day was a huge

success … Right from the toss where Hornsby Mayor, Warren Waddell, used a 1925 florin to decide

the first use of the pitch.

Unfortunately the match result was not able to be replicated. NDs won that game in 1925 but the

“Randy Petes” were too good for us “100 years & 1 day” later. A new trophy is now up for grabs

whenever the 2 sides come together … The “Taylor-Whitney” Cup. Mike Whitney has been the

President of Randwick-Petersham for the last 25 years. Tubby and Whit go way back, on and off the

field.

Once again, well done to the committee but especially to Graham Gorrie (Gozza) for pouring a lot of

time into making it another day to remember.

During the lunch break, MC Graham Gorrie introduced some special guests to say a few good words.

Speakers were Mark Taylor, Jerry Hook, Mike Whitney, Alister Henskens (Shadow Attorney-General),

James Wallace (State Member for Hornsby) and Lee Germon (CEO Cricket NSW).

MATCH RESULT: SEE LATER IN ISSUE FOR FULL SCORECARD

Cheers from a couple of “Chairs” …

Graham “Gozza” Gorrie is Chair of the

Sydney Cricket Association and is the

longest serving Secretary in the 100 year

history of the Club.

Craig “Hambos” Hambleton is the Chair of

the SCA Women’s sub-committee and has

brought up about 15 years service to NDs.

Plus! … They can cook up a storm!

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THE BYROM BOYS … Well 2 out of 5!

The photos below tell a fantastic story about the love of sport, in this case cricket. From the support

and encouragement given at an early age, to the good cricket experiences right through to that

steely look of determination and “will to win”!

Photos of Will and Ed Byrom at round about 8 & 6 years old, and then again about 9 years later!

What a difference 9 years makes. Will is currently playing for the Australian U/19s and Ed is starting

his grade experience already! As our cricket legend Mark Taylor always says … You have to keep

enjoying the game! And we enjoy watching! … Very proud of these ND Rangers.

The Cups above relate to the T20 1st Grade Premiership 2016/17 after a gripping GF at the SCG!

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WOMENS CRICKET

“With talented players, committed coaches and strong captains, NDCC is ready to turn hard work into results”

Michael coaches our 1st Grade women’s side with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

His focus: creating a high-performance environment that brings out the best in our First Grade squad.

Exciting times ahead under his leadership.

Meet our Women’s 2nd Grade Coach – Jess Holmes

Jess is dedicated to developing players and building strong pathways to First Grade.

Her commitment to growth makes her the perfect fit to guide our Second Grade side.

Meet our Brewer Coach – Brett Mitchell

Brett is passionate about helping young cricketers take the step from junior to senior competition.

He’s shaping the next generation of Rangers

with skill, discipline and encouragement.

Congratulations to our Women’s 1st Grade Captain – Kate McTaggart

Kate leads with determination, commitment and a proven record of excellence.

She’ll set the standard for our women’s program this season, both on and off the field.

Congratulations to our 2nd Grade Captain – Dani Chivers

Dani’s leadership and passion for the game make her the perfect choice to guide our Second Grade side.

A true Ranger leading from the front.

Congratulations to our Brewer Captain – Zara Hepplewhite

Zara embodies the future of NDCC women’s cricket. Her leadership in the Brewer Shield will inspire the next wave of young Rangers.

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PRESS on REPS

Nathan Lyon will captain the New South Wales Men’s Team for the first time this week when the

Blues open their 2025-26 Sheffield Shield campaign against Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

The off-spinner, who has claimed 176 wickets in 52 matches wearing the baggy blue, will become the

state’s 122nd First-Class captain and 125th male captain across all formats.

Lyon will stand in for regular Blues skipper Jack Edwards, who remains on the Australia A Tour of

India.

The appointment is the latest accolade in a decorated career for both the state and Australia. Lyon’s

562 Test wickets place him seventh all-time, one behind fellow NSW legend Glenn McGrath, while he

is also the Blues’ most recent recipient of the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year award in 2020-21.

Nathan Lyon, stand-in NSW Sheffield Shield captain, said:

“Leading New South Wales is a huge honour. I’ve been fortunate to play under some great captains

for NSW and Australia and am proud to carry that mantle in Jack’s absence.

“This trip to Perth is the perfect opportunity for our squad to hit the ground running this Shield season

– we’re well prepared and ready to go.”

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

“Nathan has been a tremendous performer at the highest level for over a decade and is someone our

players gravitate towards whenever playing for NSW.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Nathan to draw on his experience and guide our side through the

first Shield assignment of the season.”

The Blues’ squads for both the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup matches will be announced later

this week.

Viewers can tune into the match on Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au from 12:30pm AEST on

Saturday, October 4 and 1:30pm AEDT from Sunday, October 5 to Tuesday, October 7 following the

beginning of daylight savings.

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Sydney Thunder could play up to four genuine spinners in their XI with Chris Green warning teams to

expect a trial by turn at Engie Stadium in KFC BBL|15.

The Thunder made the final of last summer's tournament but were beaten by Hobart Hurricanes after

a rampaging Mitch Owen century, his second of the season.

So instead of revamping their playing style, the Thunder have identified a strength in their bowling

stocks and are doubling down for the new season.

Their home venue Engie Stadium in Sydney's western suburbs was the lowest scoring of the nine

venues to host multiple games in BBL|14, with an average first innings total of 153 and collective

batting average of 20.27.

Club stalwart Chris Green is keen to see that peculiar statistic exploited even further this summer as

the Thunder seek to end a decade-long title drought.

And the recruitment of an international spinner at the draft suggests the franchise's decision-makers

are thinking the same.

"We've gone for Shadab Khan, which I think is a great signing," Green told the Unplayable Podcast.

"To have Tanveer (Sangha), myself, Tommy (Andrews) and Shadab Khan bowling on the

Showgrounds (is exciting).

"I really want those wickets to be tough to bat on."

Adding, with tongue firmly in cheek, "I'm not at all for entertaining, big scores. Scrappy 100, 120 all

outs will be great at the Sydney Thunder home games this season."

Off-spinner Green (12 wickets) and left-arm spinner Andrews (11) were the Thunder's two highest

wicket-takers last summer, with rising leg-spinner Sangha (seven) also having a strong campaign.

The introduction of Pakistani leg-spinning allrounder Shadab will see the Thunder consider playing

four frontline spinners at home matches.

This becomes a genuine possibility given Green and Shadab have experience batting in the top six,

allowing room for quicks like Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar and Kiwi import Lockie Ferguson.

Full squads: How each club's list is shaping up for BBL|15The 31-year-old Green has featured in the past 11 seasons for the Thunder, dating back to BBL|04.

With 110 caps to his name, he is streets ahead of the franchise's second-most capped player, Daniel

Sams (84).

Green was in the XI for the Thunder's famous final win over Melbourne Stars in the BBL|05 final, a

side that was led by Australian legend Mike Hussey.

It remains the Thunder's only title in the men's competition.

The pair have linked up again at the Welsh Fire for this year's Hundred competition with Hussey as

head coach and Green one of three Aussie internationals next to Steve Smith and Riley Meredith.

"This is the first time I've reunited with him, and he's been great," Green said of Hussey.

"He was a fantastic captain. He welcomed me into the professional world of cricket with open arms.

"Every time I see him we discuss it (the BBL|05 final) and he's got so much passion for the Sydney

Thunder."

Sydney Thunder

Contracted for BBL|15: Tom Andrews (BBL|15), Wes Agar (BBL|15), Cameron Bancroft (BBL|17),

Sam Billings (BBL|16), Ollie Davies (BBL|15), Lockie Ferguson (BBL|15), Matt Gilkes (BBL|15), Chris

Green (BBL|16), Ryan Hadley (BBL|15), Shadab Khan (BBL|15), Sam Konstas (BBL|18), Nathan

McAndrew (BBL|15), Blake Nikitaras (BBL|15), Daniel Sams (BBL|15), Tanveer Sangha (BBL|17),

David Warner (BBL|15)

Outs: Liam Hatcher (Stars), Jason Sangha (Strikers)

Uncontracted: Dan Christian, Pat Cummins, Toby Gray, Nic Maddinson, Will Salzmann

Internationals: Sam Billings (England), Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand), Shadab Khan (Pakistan)

While Green will feature prominently for the Thunder for the upcoming campaign, his role with New

South Wales is more uncertain.

Green and NSW came to a "mutual understanding" during the contracting discussions at the end of

last summer, which left Green without a Blues deal despite playing seven Sheffield Shield and five

One-Day Cup matches in the most recent campaign.

The 2025-26 summer was supposed to be the third season of Green's three-year deal with NSW but

his commitment to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) complicated matters.

However, not holding a state contract won't prevent Green from playing domestic cricket if the

selectors want him in the XI.

"This was due to be my last year on state contract," Green said. "Last year, the CPL's finals clashed

with the (state) one-dayers. "I was back for the second game but I missed the opening game.

"New South Wales' standpoint was, 'We don't want to have the precedent of any contracted players

missing games throughout the season'.

"My standpoint was, 'You've got Nathan Lyon around. If I came back and went gangbusters in those

first one-dayers, it wouldn't mean that I'd keep my spot in the side for the Shield games'.

"The CPL tournament was a big part in helping me get back on their (NSW's) radar and getting my

opportunity to play. So it wasn't a tournament that I was ready to give up.

"The conversation was very open and honest that if my performances are still going well I'll get picked

(for NSW) and get (my contract will be) upgraded through playing that way.

"I still love playing for New South Wales … I definitely still want to be playing first-class cricket where I

can keep improving my game."

Green will join the Barbados Royals in the CPL when the Hundred finishes at the end of this month.

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