Sport

Cricket Shepparton young guns picked in Northern Rivers Country Academy

By Josh Huntly

Jul 21, 2026

Karramomus player Jackson Crouch has been picked in the Northern Rivers Country Academy. Photo by Megan Fisher

Eleven Cricket Shepparton talents have placed themselves among regional Victoria’s rising stars with selection in the Northern Rivers Country Academy.

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Cricket Victoria’s six country cricket regions recently announced the players picked to take part in the important pathway program, allowing them a chance to showcase the skill sets employed to great effect at local and representative level.

It also offers a chance for selection in next year’s Country Cup, so who’s shaping up as one’s to watch ahead of the approaching cricket season?

Prolific Nagambie run-scorer Flynn Bush heads up the Cricket Shepparton contingent in the 23-player under-16 boys squad after a 2025-26 campaign that saw him wallop 1,000 runs.

Reliable Old Students wicket-keeper batsman Zac Gale hit 300 runs and gloved 36 catches to put his name forward, while all-rounder Will Mathers joined his teammate in Academy calculations with more than 400 runs and 16 wickets.

Karramomus youngster’s Jackson Crouch and Callum Thornton were similarly well-credentialed with both bat and ball last season after collecting more than 30 wickets and 200 runs apiece, now both bound for Northern Rivers honours once again.

Kyabram’s Anthony Evans has also bowled himself into the squad, while Pine Lodge’s Nate Malcolm will also have an opportunity to stake his claim to a place in the Country Cup’s final XI.

However, it’s not just the boys who have stood up and announced themselves.

With the girls game rising ever higher, Cricket Shepparton has seen four of its competitors picked in the Northern Rivers under-15 girls squad.

Tatura and Murchison representative Esther Ewart has been selected, flanked by Numurkah’s Georgia Robertson, Kyabram’s Lacy Parsons, and Waaia’s Kiara Atkins.