Northern Territory Cricket is excited to announce the NT Strike squad for the 2026 Study NT Top End T20 Series played from 21-30 August.
Katherine-born D’Arcy Short (Palmerston CC) returns for the third year in a row to captain the side, continuing his long standing connection and commitment to the Territory. Short arrives in great form having plundered 446 runs for Gloucestershire in the UK’s T20 Blast.
While Tom Menzies (Darwin CC) also returns, looking to build on his recent selection in the 3-day Cricket Australia XI Tour Match against Bangladesh and his 2025 Top End T20 Series form where he was the 5th leading wicket taker with 12 scalps.
Cadell McMahon (Palmerston CC), Hamish Martin (Palmerston CC) and Harshtik Bimbral (Palmerston CC) earn selection, while the experienced Matt Hammond and exciting young quick Sam Barker ensure strong representation from Southern Districts.
Nightcliff trio Will Blair, Trent McVeigh and Doujtie Hougenzenbouen will represent the Strike for the first time alongside Riley Mark (Darwin CC), Jagadeswara Koduru (Waratah CC) and Junaid Mansoor (Waratah CC).
The unavailability of the experienced Jake Weatherald, Tom Andrews and Jacob Dickman, as well as the retirement of Kane Richardson has opened up the door for the NT Strike to select a couple of marquee players to add class and depth to a tournament that his now regarded as the second best T20 competition in Australia behind the Big Bash League (BBL).
Jordan Silk and Wes Agar join the squad as import players with both unable to represent the Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers respectively in the Top End T20 Series due to being contracted to the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder respectively.
Following the announcement of former South Africa ODI and T20 Captain Johan Botha as Head Coach, NT Cricket can also confirm that former England International and 2010 T20 World Cup winner Tim Bresnan will join the Strike as Assistant Coach alongside Nightcliff’s Harry Martin.
Bresnan has transitioned into coaching and will bring a wealth of experience following his playing career which included 23 Tests, 85 ODIs and 34 T20Is.
The NT Strike open their campaign against Nepal on Friday 21 August at DXC Arena at 6pm.
NT Head of Cricket, Nick Winter:
“The Top End Series remains the marquee event for Northern Territory Cricket pathways, and the opportunity for our local players to compete against Big Bash and International teams is a great test of our programs and talent”.
“We are pleased to put forward another strong squad which includes players with international and professional experience, local cricketers performing strongly in the DDCC, and three members of our NT Academy in Junaid, Sam and Cadell”.
“To also be able to secure two world-recognised former players in Johan and Tim as part of the coaching team is a reflection of the attraction of the Top End Series – and it will be a privilege for our local players to learn from these two ex-professionals”.
Cadell McMahon — Palmerston
D’Arcy Short (C) — Palmerston
Douwtjie Hoogenboezem — Nightcliff
Hamish Martin — Palmerston
Harshtik Bimbral — Palmerston
Jagadeswara Koduru — Waratah
Jordan Silk — Tasmania
Junaid Mansoor — Waratah
Matt Hammond — Southern Districts
Reiley Mark — Darwin
Sam Barker — Southern Districts
Tom Menzies — Darwin
Trent McVeigh — Nightcliff
Wes Agar — South Australia
Will Blair — Nightcliff
Johan Botha – Head Coach
Tim Bresnan – Assistant Coach
Harry Martin – Assistant Coach
Sam Lane – Physio
Tickets
All tickets must be purchased through Ticketebo. QR codes will be displayed at each venue for supporters wishing to purchase tickets at the gate.
Season Pass: $40
Access every regular-round match from Friday 21 to Saturday 29 August. Finals Day is not included.
Individual match tickets: $10
Tickets are available for individual regular-round matches.