Newell, a right-arm off-spin and medium-pace bowler, was the most successful bowler in Sydney grade cricket in 1892-93, when he took 60 wickets for Glebe at an average of 5.43. At the end of that season he took 6 for 25 and 4 for 27 for New South Wales in a low-scoring match against Queensland that Queensland won by 17 runs. His best innings figures for New South Wales were 8 for 56 against Victoria in 1897-98.
