Mosman Green Shield matches - Minor Premier season 2022-23
Who can stop Mosman’s title charge?
With the finals of the U16 Green Shield just around the corner, Mosman’s title credentials soared following an extraordinary partnership by Will Adlam and Alex Lee-Young. See what’s driving their success.
They missed the Green Shield finals last year, and haven’t won the competition in 36 years. Now unbeaten after five rounds, Mosman coach Max Papworth says his experienced group of youngsters are ready for a crack at the title.
Coming off last week’s thumping of Penrith where captain Will Adlam and Alex Lee-Young combined to smash centuries in a club record partnership of 243, Papworth couldn’t hide his delight with the finals fast approaching.
“The ball was nipping around early but our openers set a good platform for Will and Alex, and from there it looked like men playing against boys to be honest,” said Papworth, who shares the coaching duties alongside his Mosman second grade teammate Ash Doolan.
“I think that’s probably the best way to put it.
“Will went at better than a run a ball without really taking any risks until the end, and Alex was very dominant with his running.”
Will, the son of former NSW quick Warwick, and good mate Alex are Mosman locals in a squad now reaping the benefits of representative combinations developed over several seasons.
“They didn’t play selfishly and attacked the whole time,” Papworth said. “It’s something we talk about, just staying positive and trying not to let the bowler get on top.”
In worrying signs for opponents two rounds before the quarterfinals, Papworth offered an insight to what is expected of the Whales’ flourishing line-up.
“Will and Alex have definitely had a performance like that in them for a long time.
“I mean, we expect that from those two boys. They’re very classy, levels above everyone else that we have played to date.”
Testament to Adlam’s ability, the powerful right-hander is the only underage player named in the under-17 NSW Metropolitan squad competing at next week’s nationals in Hobart.
For Papworth and Doolan, his absence creates a significant void, one they’ll need to overcome in order to reach the semi finals before his return.
But in Hunter recruits Austen Hiskens and Kel Wilson, Mosman are blessed with depth.
Hiskens recently scored heavily in Newcastle’s Bradman Cup winning side at the NSW U16 Country Championships, and dug Mosman out of a hole in round two with an unbeaten 106.
In round three Wilson scored a brisk 83, and last season used his x-factor qualities to average better than fifty in the Green Shield.
It all begs the question, can Mosman be stopped?
Parramatta are the only other unbeaten side and sit just one-point behind the Whales in second place.
On Tuesday they head to Mosman in what promises to be a fascinating clash, perhaps a grand final preview.
For all the Whales’ riches, Advith Boreddy’s 300 runs at 75 for Parramatta shine like a beacon at the top of the run-scorers’ list. While opener Nilaathan Kulendran and Nitesh Samuel are others to watch.
For Papworth, who has been developing young cricketers for 10 years including the last two at Mosman, the matchup is another opportunity to showcase the fruits of the club’s long-term junior program.
“Obviously it is a big game against a team looking to run deep as well, but we will try to remain grounded and composed like any other game and arrive locked and loaded ready to compete.”
