As the 2023-24 cricket season approaches its peak, Queensland Premier Cricketers are setting their sights on strong performances ahead of the Christmas-New Year break. CAM VELLACOTT delivers his take on last week's round, including a thrilling T20 Final in the Katherine Raymont Shield.
Premier Players Star
Weekend Wrap Saturday 25 November
There was thrilling play across all matches in the weekend’s KFC Queensland Premier Cricket. Sunday’s KFC T20 Max final saw University of Queensland’s womens First Grade claim a gripping last over victory. Their back to back KFC T20 Max title was lead by Mel Bulow Medallist Ava Spencer, who scored a match winning 35* off 22. In the men’s First Grade competition, a star-studded Redlands side was dramatically dismissed for 77 while Valley continued their hot start to the season after claiming first innings against Souths already.
At Peter Burge Oval, the Sunshine Coast Scorchers sent Redlands in to bat, looking to extract the most out of the inclement weather and green wicket. Lleyton Chick (4/19) had the Scorchers off to a strong start, dismissing both Liam Smith (5 off 21) and Stephan Muller (1 off 18) early. On the stroke of drinks, a high flying Nick Selman caught Jimmy Peirson (6 off 19) through an exceptional piece of slips fielding. Selman then took another sharp catch at first slip off the bowling of Chad Soper (3/25) to dismiss Jack Sinfield. The very next ball was Soper and Selman combining again for a wicket, Redlands reeling at 5/24.
Oliver Bembrick (3/14) then had a slashing Bailey Stewart caught at cover to gain the Sunshine Coast’s sixth wicket inside 20 overs. When the grinding Sam Heazlett (12 off 69) fell on lunch, Redlands went into the sheds 8/33 off 29 overs. Some runs from the tail end saw the home side eventually dismissed for 77. Scorchers batters Alex Maidment (29 off 76), Sam Truloff (33 off 49) and Nick Selman (43* off 70) saw the Sunshine Coast claim first innings and begin setting a lead. The Scorchers are 6/160 at stumps.
Souths sent Valley into bat at Norman Gray Oval. In a barely believable scorecard, Souths bowlers dominated 10 of the Valley batters. Unfortunately for Souths, Max Bryant appeared to be playing on a different wicket to the rest of the 21 players. In a side dismissed for 155, Bryant was brutal in scoring 100 (95). During Bryant’s innings, Valley scored a total of 124 runs as Souths bowlers James Ward (4/41), Luke Wegner (3/56) and Ed Leslie (2/9) helped dismiss 9 Valley batters for single digits.
Defending a low total, it was an ideal start for Valley. Fast bowler Joey Pratt (2/16) struck a shouldering arms Lucky Peterson on the pads, before the second wicket fell the next ball when Sam Geyer got sent back trying to pinch a run from mid wicket. Benji Floros (3/27) then trapped Queensland player Aryan Jain in front before Pratt added his second wicket soon after. Souths were unable to recover from the 4/23, Valley continuing their dominant red ball form. Valley’s bowling leaders Cameron Boyce (2/16) and Floros took the last four wickets, Souths all out 87. Already leading the two day ladder, this match poses a strong opportunity for Valley to surge well clear in first place if they were to win outright.
Ipswich took the field at Ivor Marsden Oval aiming to keep their unbeaten streak in tact against Toombul. It was a fast and furious day’s play, Toombul’s Tom Balkin (4/36) bowling with serious pace as Ipswich’s batters scored at just under 5 runs an over. While no Hornets batter passed 50, Dan Wilson (38 off 37), Noah Emmerson (46 off 56), Harry Wood (30 off 41) and Jack Wood (41 off 35) all chipped in to see their side post 246 off a mere 54.1 overs. Toombul captain Daniel Cranitch (3/71) joined Balkin atop the wicket takers list. With 7 overs left in the days play, Ipswich were on the hunt for wickets. In form fast bowler Jem Ryan took the prized wicket of Matt Renshaw off the second ball of the innings. Harry Wood then caught the edge of opener Addy Grewal to leave Toombul 2/13 at stumps.
Gold Coast captain Hugo Burdon (102 off 80) continued his good form against University. Begging for higher honours, the state contracted Burdon was brutal in taking down the Uni attack. Uni pace duo Matt Willans (4/66) and Callum Henderson (5/81) had the Gold Coast in trouble at 4/114, particularly after Henderson dismissed Ben McDermott caught behind for 25 (30). However, Burdon continued to score quickly and combined with fellow Queensland player Xavier Bartlett (76 off 137). The ball after bringing up his century, Burdon pulled a Henderson short ball straight to square leg. Matt Revis (53 off 102) then continued with Bartlett before Lachy Aitken (29 off 60) and Brad Munro (30 off 28) saw them reach 357 all out. Xavier Bartlett picked up a wicket late to have Uni 1/19 at stumps.
Sandgate-Redcliffe had a strong day with the willow against Norths on Trevor Hohns Field. After Noah McFadyen (6/82) took the first three wickets of the match in quick time, the big hitting pairing of Adrian Lascu (39 off 63) and Jack Cooper (81 off 78) settled for the Gators. Two quick wickets again fell, including Lascu, which brought Caden Sweeney (84 off 125) to the crease. Cooper and Sweeney put on 90 for the sixth wicket, Cooper falling to new Hobart Hurricanes signing Nikhil Chaudhary. Sweeney and Hiri Hiri (68 off 80) continued to bat their side into a strong position, taking them from 6/195 to 7/310. A clump of late wickets saw Sandgate all out 334. Facing 23 overs at the end of the day, Norths’ bash brothers Connor Carroll (58 off 44) and Josh Brown (33 off 18) looked to reduce next weeks run chase as much as they could. Norths are 2/133 at stumps, Scott Palombo and Mitch Doolan at the crease.
Wynnum-Manly managed to bat through the day against Wests on Bill Albury Oval. Steve McGiffin (3/61) and Darcy Murphy (1/52) had Wynnum-Manly in big trouble early at 4/40. Captain Jed Wilson (88 off 164) and Ali Nasar Zaidi (101 off 223) put on 154 for the fifth wicket, a ripping yorker from Hassan Ibrahim (1/44) able to dismiss Wilson and break the partnership. The young Zaidi continued his patient innings, showing maturity beyond his years in bringing up his second century of the season. Wynnum-Manly are 8/298 at stumps.
KFC Queensland Premier Cricket
TOTW 25th & 26th Nov
- Rachel Priest 69 (61) – Sunshine Coast
- Ruby Strange 63 (54) – Western Suburbs
- Hugo Burdon 102 (80) – Gold Coast
- Max Bryant 100 (95) – Valley
- Ali Nasar Zaidi 101 (223) – Wynnum-Manly
- Ava Spencer 35* (22), Player of the match in final – University of Queensland
- Bree Craven 3/28 (4) & 2/28 (4), 22 (28) – University of Queensland
- Noah McFayden 6/82 (23) – Northern Suburbs
- Callum Henderson 5/81 (13.5) – University of Queensland
- Ruby Orchard 3/14 (4), 2/19 (3.3) – Sunshine Coast
- Lleyton Chick 4/19 (13) – Sunshine Coast
Each week The Courier-Mail covers the Premier Cricket round with 3-2-1 points from matches. Their latest reports, including an in-depth appraisal of the rising stars of premier cricket are available here (note subscription required):