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South Australia’s Rising Stars Shine as Aussies Claim Under-22 Women’s World Cup Title
13th October 2025

South Australia’s next generation of indoor cricket talent has made its mark on the world stage, with three young players starring in Australia’s Under-22 Women’s Indoor Cricket World Cup victory in Sri Lanka last week.

Alanah Gregory, Keely Stone and Jasmin Earl were all key contributors in the side’s dominant campaign, which culminated in a 100–69 win over New Zealand in the Final to secure the World title.

Opening the batting, Gregory and Stone set the tone early with a superb 37-run partnership — the highest of the match — laying the foundation for Australia’s commanding total. Gregory finished with 22 runs and a wicket, while Stone impressed with the ball, claiming 2 wickets from her 2 overs to help seal a comfortable win.

Jasmin Earl was one of the tournament’s standout performers, finishing top of the overall statistics with an incredible contribution total of +177 from 8 games.
Earl amassed 147 runs at an average of 18.4, and her bowling figures were equally remarkable — 23 wickets for -30 runs, including best figures of 5/-18.

All three players featured in South Australia’s historic Open Women’s National Championship win earlier this year, earning Australian caps in recognition of their outstanding form.
Their success capped off an extraordinary 12 months for women’s indoor cricket in South Australia, with national titles in the Masters Over-30 and Open Women’s divisions, as well as multiple SA players contributing to World Cup victories at both senior and masters levels.

Reflecting on the growing success of South Australian women’s cricket, Australian Women’s player Neisha Iles highlighted the importance of unity and continuity within the group.

“I think the key to the success has been keeping the same group of players together over the last few years,” said Iles.
“Being able to consistently train and compete together has really started to pay off. Hopefully we can keep building this momentum and continue enjoying the success.”

Australia completed a clean sweep of all divisions at the 2025 World Cup — Men’s, Women’s, Under-22 Men’s and Under-22 Women’s — with all Finals contested against New Zealand.

For full results and updates from the Indoor Cricket World Cup, visit indoorcricket.news.

Rattray Bludgeons Australia to Victory,
Iles Caps Incredible Year with Another World Cup
8th October 2025

Australia’s Women’s side further cemented their dominance over the world of indoor cricket, claiming a commanding victory at the 2025 Indoor Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka last week.

Local South Australian stars Kylie Rattray and Neisha Iles were standouts in the Final, combining for a powerful 49-run batting partnership that set an imposing total for Australia to defend.
Rattray was unstoppable, blasting 34 runs off just 14 balls, including two sevens off New Zealand’s Gemma Krebs and Claire Crooks. The pair’s final overs cost 37 runs — with 20 coming from the last over — propelling Australia’s total beyond 100.

New Zealand’s chase faltered early, struggling to 21 runs at the halfway mark, before Australia cruised to a 42-run victory to secure yet another World Cup crown.

Rattray was deservedly named Player of the Match for her explosive innings.

The 2025 Australian Women’s squad featured four South Australians - Kylie Rattray, Neisha Iles, Emily Vallance and Taylah Gregory — the most South Australians ever selected in a World Cup squad, men’s or women’s.

It was fitting recognition for South Australia’s remarkable success in women’s indoor cricket throughout 2025, following the state’s first-ever Open Women’s National Championship title in July, after several years of finishing runners-up.

For Neisha Iles, the triumph caps one of the most successful 12-month periods in Australian indoor cricket history.

In the past year alone, Iles has:

• Vice-captained Australia in their victory in the Over 30 Women’s World Cup (October 2024 in Sri Lanka)
• Played and coached the Over 30 South Australian team, which won back-to-back national titles (2023 in Perth & 2024 at Arena42, Adelaide)
• Led the SA Open Women’s team to their historic first National Championship in July — hitting a 7 off the final ball to force a super over, then bowling SA to victory
• Added the 2025 Open Women’s World Cup title to an extraordinary run of achievements

Her accomplishments across national and international levels have firmly etched her name among South Australia’s greatest-ever indoor cricketers.

“Having known Neisha since she started her indoor cricket career, I’ve seen first-hand her devotion to the game and her ability to lead and develop winning teams and culture,” said Daniel McKay, owner of Arena42 (Action Indoor Sports Modbury), which hosted the Masters National Championships in May.

“It’s unbelievable what she’s achieved — both individually and as part of South Australian and Australian teams. The legacy she’s created will inspire generations of players to come.”

Australia completed a clean sweep of all four divisions at this year’s World Cup — Men’s, Women’s, Under-22 Men’s and Under-22 Women’s — with all Finals contested against New Zealand. Teams from India, Sri Lanka, UAE, South Africa, Singapore, England and the United States also competed.

For full results and updates from the Indoor Cricket World Cup, visit indoorcricket.news.

 

Diener Dominates as Aussies Extend World Cup Winning Streak
7th October 2025

Local South Australian indoor cricketer Jamie Diener played a starring role in helping the Australian Men’s Indoor Cricket Team continue their incredible record at the 2025 Indoor Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka last week.

Australia extended its dominance on the world stage, claiming a 12th consecutive Men’s World Cup title and remaining undefeated in every World Cup final since 1995 — an astonishing 30-year winning streak.

Diener was instrumental in the team’s success, finishing second overall in contribution average across the tournament and producing a match-winning spell in the Grand Final against New Zealand.

With New Zealand chasing 87 and well within reach at 44 after eight overs, the match was finely poised heading into the closing stages. Enter Diener — whose decisive 13th over produced three wickets for -13 runs, crushing any hopes of a Kiwi win and sealing Australia’s 47-run victory.

The 2025 Indoor Cricket World Cup featured teams from across the globe — including the UAE, England, South Africa, India, Singapore, host nation Sri Lanka, and for the first time at Men’s level, the United States.
Australia completed a clean sweep of all four divisions — Men’s, Women’s, Under-22 Men’s, and Under-22 Women’s — defeating New Zealand in each final.

For Diener, the triumph marks a special milestone. Despite this being his fourth international tournament for Australia, it was his first World Cup appearance, having narrowly missed selection in 2022 when South Australia did not field a team at the National Championships.

His consistent performances — following a Player of the Series showing at the 2024 Tri-Nations event in Adelaide —has cemented his place among South Australia’s most accomplished indoor cricketers.

Adding to the local significance, Cameron Bullard, captain of the South Australian Men’s State Team, was also part of the World Cup squad — marking the first time in over 20 years that two South Australians have represented Australia in the Men’s team at a World Cup.

In the lead-up to the tournament, Diener honed his skills locally, featuring in the Trans-Tasman Club Challenge held at Arena42 (Action Indoor Sports Modbury) in September — a key preparation event for him before heading to Sri Lanka.

“Jamie’s performance at the World Cup is a massive credit to the years of dedication he’s put into the sport,” said Daniel McKay, Owner of Arena42 and teammate of both Diener and Bullard in the South Australian State Men’s Team.

“To have two South Australians — Jamie and Cam — representing Australia together in a World Cup is a huge achievement and something our whole SA indoor cricket community is proud of.”

For full results from the Indoor Cricket World Cup, visit indoorcricket.news.

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Indoor Cricket’s New Two-Ball Rule: Game Changer or Gimmick?

Written by: Daniel McKay

Indoor cricket is trialling one of its most significant rule changes in decades — the introduction of the “two-ball rule.”

After over 25 years in the game, I feel compelled to say: I don’t understand it, I don’t like it, and I don’t think it will take our sport in the right direction.

A History of Change

Change in indoor cricket has never come quickly.

The shift from 8-ball overs to 6-ball overs at representative level took well into the 21st century, despite outdoor cricket having made the move much earlier.

The transition made sense at the time: it aligned us with traditional cricket, sped up matches, and created consistency.

The only other major rule innovation in my time has been the “third ball rule,” introduced in 1996.

This was a game-changer — literally.

Forcing batters to score after two dot balls injected constant pressure, ensured matches stayed dynamic, and produced some of the most thrilling moments in our sport’s history.

It was innovation that made sense, enhancing the balance of bat and ball while staying true to the essence of cricket.

Why the Two-Ball Rule Falls Short

By contrast, I see little benefit in the two-ball rule.

Watching the opening stages of the World Cup, the supposed “test lab” for this change, I haven’t seen anything that makes matches more compelling for players or spectators.

Yes, games move faster. Yes, there are more wickets and more runs.

But the nuance is gone.

The beauty of the third ball rule lies in the buildup of pressure: two dots, then a moment of suspense as the batter strategises how to score.

That tension is now lost. Instead, batters are forced into constant scramble mode, prioritising survival over skill.

At elite level, the best players will adapt quickly — as they always do. But the gulf between the best and the rest only widens.

And if this rule filters down to grassroots, what are we really creating?

A scrappy, backyard-style version of the game where luck plays as much of a role as skill?

A Question of Direction

I’m not against innovation.

Our sport needs it desperately.

Numbers have been dwindling for years, and we need fresh energy, new audiences, and reasons for outdoor cricketers and casual sports fans to get involved.

But we need innovation that enhances the spectacle, not undermines it.

Why not experiment with elements that link more closely to the formats fans already love?

Power plays. DRS-style reviews. Bonus run opportunities.

These would align us more closely with T20, the fastest-growing form of cricket globally, and attract new players while still respecting the skill balance that defines indoor cricket.

The Bigger Picture

The indoor cricket community is passionate but small, and it needs growth.

With emerging investment in the subcontinent, we have a genuine chance to expand into new markets and create a bigger, stronger future.

But rule changes like the two-ball experiment won’t drive participation or viewership.

We should be focusing on innovation that builds excitement, connects us to the wider cricket audience, and makes the game more appealing to newcomers — not rules that strip away its nuance.

Indoor cricket deserves a bold future.

But the two-ball rule isn’t the answer.

Arena42 Hosts Sharks in Trans-Tasman Showdown

Stepney Saints and Central City Sharks share honours in Adelaide tournament

Arena42, Adelaide’s premier indoor cricket venue, played host to the inaugural Arena42 Trans-Tasman Club Challenge from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 September 2025, welcoming touring sides from New Zealand and showcasing some of the best club indoor cricket action of the year.

The Central City Sharks, travelling from Christchurch, New Zealand, brought both Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams to Adelaide for the three-day tournament, facing off against local South Australian clubs in a festival of trans-Tasman cricket.

Saints Dominate Tier 1

The Stepney Saints stamped their authority on the Tier 1 division, storming through the tournament undefeated. Their dominance culminated in a convincing 109–52 victory over the Sharks in the Tier 1 Final. The win also extended the Saints’ unbeaten streak to 15 matches in 2025, backing up their BBI Division 1 title win in August.

Sharks Claim Tier 2 in a Thriller

Tier 2 came down to the wire, with the Sharks and the Northern Mavericks battling it out for the premiership in the final playoff. In a gripping contest, the Sharks edged home 103–91 in a match that was only decided in the last over, securing New Zealand’s share of tournament glory.

Praise from the Visitors

Central City Sharks Tour Co-Ordinator, Tom Cliff, praised the tournament and the hospitality of Arena42:

"Thanks to Arena42 for a great tournament. The boys absolutely loved it and are already talking about who’s coming back next year! It was nice to come over and play a new bunch of guys who were all legends on and off the court. We all love our indoor cricket and getting the chance to tour was fantastic, and we look forward to coming back and defending our Tier 2 title!"

Arena42: Committed to Indoor Cricket

Arena42, located at 42 Famechon Crescent, Modbury North, has cemented its reputation as Adelaide’s home of indoor cricket, providing high-quality facilities and opportunities for players of all levels. The venue underwent major renovations in 2023, including new courts, nets, and LED lighting, and continues to host local, national, and international events.

With the success of the 2025 Trans-Tasman Club Challenge, planning is already underway for the 2026 edition, proposed for September 10–12 next year. The tournament promises to be even bigger, as clubs from both sides of the Tasman prepare to battle once again; sides from all over Australia are welcome to enter teams.

For updates and announcements about the 2026 Trans-Tasman Club Challenge and other events, visit the Arena42 Facebook page or contact Daniel at info@arena42.au