Written by Nick Wasiliev

The Newcastle Cricket Zone has officially confirmed their 14-player squad, coached by Neil McDonald and Tom Anderson, that will head to Lake Macquarie for the regional leg of the 2026-27 Bradman Cup. 

Seven clubs are represented from across the Hunter region, with each player selected based on their form across club cricket, the SG Moore Shield, practice matches, training sessions, and previous form from last year.

Newcastle Cricket Zone Administrator Tim Cox was impressed by the quality of players taking part, believing they achieved a more balanced group to start their Bradman Cup campaign, before eyes inevitably turn to the main action down in Albury.

“It was an unusual selection process; normally we would have a winter academy program, but there was a lot of change to the structure and process for a variety of reasons,” Cox explained.

“We were looking at setting up a process based on a lot of last year’s form, but also incorporating early form this season as well [with trials and current season form], taking into account players coming back from long-term injuries. 

“The Bradman Cup has been over two phases of competition, playing against our aligning Northern NSW zones, and then the big week down in Albury [in January 2027].”

Charlestown opener Elliot Bullen is set to captain the squad, with strong support from the likes of fellow teammates Lachlan Creer, dangerous all-rounder Jasper Grainger, Matthew Priestley and Samuel Warner.

Adding to the side will be a strong contingent from Belmont in Will Blandford, Thomas Crane and James Dare, with Newcastle City’s Callum Van Huisstede and Sulaiman Moin Muhammad also confirmed.

Completing the squads are Louis Berry (Merewether DCC), Isaac Dean (Hamilton-Wickham DCC), Taylor Green (Toronto Workers) and Nedin Liby (Wests Newcastle).

Cox is excited to see how the group will develop over the coming weeks, as Newcastle looks to win their first Bradman Cup in three years.

“[We’re] very impressed with the youngsters that are playing a year up from U15s this year in Tom Crane and Will Blanford,” Cox said.

“[Grainger], he’s come on, I would say, [among the] highly individual standouts in this age group. For Newcastle, we have had some absolutely individual standouts this year, a more rounded side.

“James Dare and Elliot Bullen and those sort of guys will lead with their experience as well.

“[It’s] a mixture of highly representative experience – even though they’re only 16 – with a bit of raw talent as well. The balance looks quite nice.”

The side will take part in two T20s on the opening Saturday in Port Macquarie, with a one-day fixture against rivals Central Coast to round out the weekend on Sunday.

All players will likely have their eyes on the NSW Country Bradman Cup Championships, which will be held in Albury from 4–7 January 2027, with the final Newcastle squad for Albury to be announced immediately following the opening three rounds in Port Macquarie.

With form likely to be considered based on how the side progresses at Port Macquarie, Cox believes that Newcastle is well placed to do well this season – with no shortage of solid options available outside of the main squad.

Training will officially get underway this week, with players having one additional round of the SG Moore Cup next week before the competition takes a break for the opening rounds of action. 

Newcastle Bradman Cup Team – Port Macquarie Rounds 1-3

Elliott Bullen (C) — Charlestown DCC, Louis Berry — Merewether DCC, Will Blandford — Belmont DCC, Thomas Crane — Belmont DCC, Lachlan Creer — Charlestown DCC, James Dare — Belmont DCC, Isaac Dean — Hamilton-Wickham DCC, Jasper Grainger — Charlestown DCC, Taylor Green — Cricket Southern Lakes (Toronto Workers), Nedin Liby — Wests Newcastle, Sulaiman Moin Muhammad — Newcastle City CC, Matthew Priestley — Charlestown DCC, Callum Van Huisstede — Newcastle City CC, Samuel Warner — Charlestown DCC. Coaches: Neil McDonald and Tom Anderson

Port Macquarie – Fixtures

Saturday 21 November – Round 1 Newcastle v Central Northern 10:00am T20 – Oxley Oval

Saturday 21 November – Round 2 Newcastle v North Coastal 2:00pm T20 – Oval 1, Turf

Sunday 22 November – Round 3 Newcastle v Central Coast One-Day Match, Location TBC

Pictured below: 2025/26 Bradman Cup team