UTS North Sydney Zahra Dhillon Brewer Shield season top wicket-taker

The Brewer Shield regular season ended last Sunday, 21 February, and top of the wicket-takers' aggregate was the UTS North Sydney Bears' own Zahra Dhillon.

Zahra took 29 wickets across the 15 rounds, one ahead of Sydney University's Chantelle Ranjan, at an average of just 11.69 apiece. Zahra also equals the Bears' Brewer Shield season aggregate record set by Sharon Julien three seasons ago.

What makes Zahra's achievement all the more astonishing is she did it without taking a single five-wicket haul, but she took four wickets in an innings on four occasions (including one T20) and three on two further occasions. In the last three matches of the season, she took 10 wickets while conceding just 76 runs in 22 overs.

Zahra has also scored vital runs through the season, most notably a dogged 17* to get us over the line against Greater Hunter Coast, and earned herself a spot in the top order by the season's end.

Zahra was a member of the Bears' development squad in 2024/25, joining the full playing squad this season. Alongside her Brewer Shield commitments, she plays for the Hoxton Park Tigers mixed junior side and the Fairfield-Liverpool U15 Margaret Peden side, as well as senior women's cricket for Castle Hill RSL.

Ameera (L) and Zahra (R) celebrate their match-winning combination against the Southern Swans

Cricket is a family affair for the Dhillons and the wider family, with Zahra's mum, Nechal, a regular member of our Third Grade team, and her cousin, Ameera, a Brewer Shield team-mate. In a fitting end to the season at Tunks Park, Zahra and Ameera took four wickets each to secure a nine-run win for the Bears over defending champions, Southern Swans.

Congratulations, Zahra - we're very proud of you and delighted you're a Bear!

The Bears' Brewer Shield team is proudly sponsored by Amanda's on the Edge.