Adelaide’s Scotch College and newcomers Sydney University will travel to Darwin to take part in the annual Interstate Challenge Series against the Northern Territory U17 Male Development Squad.
Interstate Challenge Series Returns for 2024
The 2024 edition of the Interstate Challenge Series will see an expanded tri-series format, played as a combination of round robin T20 and 50-over matches at DXC Arena in Marrara, taking place from Monday 30 September to Thursday 3 October 2024.
Now in its fourth year, the Interstate Challenge Series is designed to provide Darwin’s young cricketers with the opportunity to play against interstate players ahead of the upcoming Under 17 Male National Championships, scheduled for January 2025 in Launceston.
For Scotch College and Sydney University students, their trip to the Top End provides an opportunity to play games and gain valuable match time prior to the commencement of the traditional cricket season down south.
The NT U17 Development Squad will again be coached by Greg Turner who continues to build on the excellent foundations he established in the recently completed Junior Strike League.
NT Cricket’s new Head of Cricket, Nick Winter, said the series presents an outstanding preparation opportunity ahead of the Cricket Australia championships.
“The Interstate Challenge Series serves a key role in the Northern Territory pathway program, providing another high-level opportunity for our Territory players while bridging the gap between the Junior Strike League and the Cricket Australia championships”.
“The Northern Territory’s relationship with Scotch College continues to grow each year with both teams seeing value in these fixtures. We are also extremely excited to welcome Sydney University this year, who are highly regarded within the New South Wales cricket system”.
Northern Territory Challenge Series Squad
|
Name |
Age |
Club |
Skill |
|
Angad Panwar |
14 |
Southern Districts |
Orthodox/Bat |
|
Arlo Everett |
15 |
Waratah |
|
|
Cadell McMahon |
16 |
Palmerston |
WK/Bat |
|
Charlie Harragon |
16 |
Darwin |
Leg Spin |
|
Deepandshu Panwar |
15 |
Southern Districts |
Bat/Medium |
|
Dhruv Shandilya |
15 |
Tracy Village |
Bat/Orthodox |
|
Harry Dixon |
15 |
Darwin |
Medium |
|
Hugo Matthias* |
18 |
Waratah |
|
|
Matt St Clair |
16 |
Southern Districts |
Fast |
|
Max Wilson |
15 |
Darwin |
Medium |
|
Mithuru Perera |
16 |
Waratah |
Medium |
|
Noah MacDonald |
15 |
PINT |
Bat/Medium |
|
Ralph Stevens |
15 |
Darwin |
Bat |
|
Rehaan Sundar |
15 |
Palmerston |
Leg Spin/Bat |
|
Riley Suter |
15 |
Nightcliff |
Medium |
|
Rithun Ramanan |
13 |
Waratah |
Bat/Fast |
|
Sam Barker |
16 |
Southern Districts |
Fast |
|
Tye Beer |
14 |
Tracy Village |
Orthodox/Bat |
*Hugo Matthias will play as an overage player after returning from injury.
Fixtures
|
Date |
Start Time |
Teams |
Format |
Livestream |
|
Monday 30 September 2024 |
10am |
Sydney Uni vs. NT |
T20 |
|
|
2pm |
Scotch College vs. NT |
T20 |
||
|
6pm |
Sydney Uni vs. Scotch College |
T20 |
||
|
Tuesday 1 October 2024 |
1pm |
Scotch College vs. Sydney Uni |
One Day |
|
|
Wednesday 2 October 2024 |
10am |
NT vs. Sydney Uni |
One Day |
|
|
Thursday 3 October 2024 |
1pm |
Scotch College vs. NT |
One Day |
Note: The Player Development Squad were selected by NT Cricket Head of Cricket Nick Winter, Coach Development Specialist Dylan Slater and Head Coach Greg Turner. Selection was based on a number of considerations including but not limited to (1) Selection and Performances in Junior Strike League; (2) Performances in Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition and Alice Springs Cricket Association; (3) Squad Skill Requirements, Composition and Balance; (4) Youth Development (i.e. opportunity to develop best young talent).