Auckland Under-17 Boys claimed the New Zealand Cricket’s U17 National Tournament title defeating Central Districts in Lincoln earlier last week, with Kiwi-Indian bowler for Auckland’s team, Adithya Ashok, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

This win is Auckland U17’s consecutive third win in the last three years and caps off a remarkable season for Auckland’s age-group cricketers.

Auckland U17's late push continued as they upended top qualifiers Central Districts U17 by five wickets to claim the 2018/19 national title in a hard-fought final.

Adithya Ashok was hailed hero in the second last match that gave Auckland team a 151-run victory against Northern Districts and powered the team into the finals against Central Districts. Ashok finished his ten overs with six maidens and six wickets for 12 runs.

“It was a match-winning performance by Adithya, which showed great control,” Assistant Coach Matt Cowie of Auckland U17 Boys had said.

In the finals, Adithya settled for two wickets giving 39 runs off his ten overs, having claimed CD captain Sam Sherriff in a top battle between bat and ball.

Adithya, studied at Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) had received the Bowler of the Year award from Auckland Inter-Secondary School Sports Awards in 2017.

Adithya is a recipient of numerous awards such as best batsman from Eden Roskill Cricket Club, Overall Best Player for Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club in 2014 and 2015. He was the captain of the New Zealand team at the Junior Indoor World Cup U13 age group in Australia in 2015.

He aims to play for the Black Caps starting with getting selected in the U19 team and then into the main league of players.

Another player who has marked his place in the Auckland U17 Boys team was Kiwi-Nepalese Dinesh Kharel who took one wicket each in the semis and final match of the national tournament.