Central North have claimed the 2025\/26 Bradman Cup, ending a 10-year drought with a dominant, undefeated campaign in Albury to secure just the third title in the zone\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
The Under 16 side sealed the trophy with a commanding seven-wicket win over Southern Districts, making light work of a target of 208 to surge past the total with more than seven overs in hand and only three wickets lost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite\u00a0the\u00a0final round of the carnival being abandoned due to extreme heat,\u00a0Central North won all six of its matches to finish 10 points clear of second-placed Central Coast, setting the benchmark across the tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their success was built on a ruthless bowling attack that proved almost impossible to break. Central North conceded just 26 wickets across the entire carnival,\u00a016 fewer than the next best side while taking a competition-high 64 wickets at an average of just 16.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Captain Charlie Lovegrove was central to the triumph, producing an outstanding all-round performance. The leg-spinning skipper scored 193 runs at 48, took seven wickets at 21.7, held five catches and executed a memorable run-out to earn the Nathan Lyon Medal as Player of the Tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the bat, Cailan Hartwell was a class above despite\u00a0playing up\u00a0an age group. He finished as the leading run-scorer of the carnival with 286 runs at an impressive average of 71.5.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2025\/26 Bradman Cup brought together the best young cricketers from all eight NSW Country Cricket Zones, with Albury hosting\u00a0four days\u00a0of highly competitive and high-quality cricket despite the challenging conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Central North will now go on to face the winner of the AW Green Shield\u00a0(NSW Premier Cricket\u2019s Under 16 competition)\u00a0to\u00a0determine\u00a0the state champions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cricket NSW\u00a0extends\u00a0their\u00a0thanks to\u00a0the Albury Wodonga Cricket Association for hosting the carnival, along with all local curators and ground staff, scorers, umpires,\u00a0players\u00a0and parents for their efforts in making the tournament such a success.\u00a0<\/p>\n