Match Preview: Queensland Cricket Academy v Queensland Premier Cricket

This coming weekend Queensland Cricket’s Academy v Premier Cricket 3 Day game takes place at Bill Albury Oval.

The purpose of this game is to challenge Queensland’s high performing players in longer format cricket. Teams were selected by the Queensland Bulls Selection Committee.

The 3 Day game will be played from Saturday 25 January to Monday 27 January, 2025, commencing at 10am.

The Queensland Premier Cricket Regulations and Playing Conditions will be used, with the inclusion of compulsory declaration at 108 overs (1st innings) and all 12 players being entitled to bowl.

The appointed umpires are Michael Mellifont and Ryan Flack and the appointed scorers are Gian Taviani and Melinda Balkin.

 

Queensland Cricket Academy

Tom Campbell (Western Suburbs)

• The Western Suburbs number 3 batsman, Tom Campbell will hope to continue his flow of runs this weekend. On the backend of scoring the most runs at the 2023-24 U19s National Championships with 290 at an average of 58 including 1 hundred, it is no surprise to see the batsman succeeding in the QC Academy. Campbell has also struck 5 fifties this season.

Sam Geyer (South Brisbane)

• An all-round athlete, Sam Geyer has been taking wickets for fun this season. The Souths player has 29 already for the season at an average of 23 across all forms.

Ashton Gumm (Gold Coast)

• Southport local, Ashton Gumm has been scoring mammoth runs across the past two seasons with multiple hundreds. The 20-year-old is averaging 42.33 runs with the bat.

Steve McGiffin (Western Suburbs)

• One of the more senior players within the side, Steve McGiffin has been leading from the front as Western Suburbs captain for many years now. After being selected for the Brisbane Heat in 2022, McGiffin is continuing to improve his craft and push for Bulls selection.

Dylan McLachlan (wk) (Valley)

• Having Queensland Bulls experience within the One Day set-up, Dylan McLachlan (Valley), hit his first hundred this season just before Christmas. In 2023, the wicketkeeper-batter represented Australia’s Indigenous Team in a tour series against Vanuatu.

Connor McMillan (South Brisbane)

• Leg-spin bowler, Connor McMillan has certainly been consistent for Souths this season with 23 wickets at an average of just 18.83. In nearly every fixture, McMillan has secured at least two wickets.

Scott Palombo (c) (Northern Suburbs)

• Another senior player amongst the squad, Scott Palombo made his debut for the Queensland 2^nd XI earlier this season striking 72 off 114 deliveries. To accompany this, Palombo has caned 617 runs for Norths as the 5^th highest run scorer in first grade.

Alex Procopis (Northern Suburbs)

• After debuting for the Northern Suburbs first grade side last year, Alex Procopis has settled in nicely. The Queensland U19s all-rounder has hit 522 runs with a high score of 92 while also claiming 14 wickets at an economy of 3-29.

Isaiah Snell (Western Suburbs)

• Back in September, wicket-keeper batsman Isaiah Snell hit a match winning 118 (136) to win a vital match for Western Suburbs. In good form with the gloves as well, Snell has taken 15 catches this season to accompany 467 runs at an average of 35.92.

Connor Sully (Toombul)

• With Marsh One Day Cup and Second XI matches to his name, another supreme pace bowler to finish off the trio is Connor Sully. The Toombul player is sure to add another handful of wickets to the 22 already collected this Summer.

Donal Whyte (University of Queensland)

• Having made the move across town from Valley this summer, the right arm quick sits equal 3^rd in wickets taken with 28 and best figures of 5/24. Has the ability to change a game within a spell.

Matt Willans (University of Queensland)

• After a devastating shoulder injury 3 years ago, left-armer Matt Willans (UQ) is back in the action. Previously contracted within the Queensland set-up, the 6-foot-9 pace bowler will be difficult to play as always.

The side will be coached by Queensland Cricket’s Academy Lead, Jarrad Loughman, with assistance from Ipswich Mens 1^st Grade Coach, Mark Rasmussen.

 

Queensland Premier Cricket

Reuben Burger (wk) (Wynnum-Manly)

• Wicketkeeper-batter, Reuben Burger (Wynnum-Manly) has certainly earnt his spot within this side taking 24 catches and 2 stumpings behind the wickets. This is supported by an aggressive 417 runs at 34.75.

Max Clayton (c) (University of Queensland)

• Ranked at number 6 within the Premier Cricket top run scorers list, Max Clayton has struck 600 runs at 42.86 in just 18 innings. In 2019, Clayton represented Australia U19s in a series against New Zealand U19s. Max is also the brother of Queensland Bulls player, Jack Clayton.

Nick Fletcher (Sunshine Coast)

• Sunshine Coast Scorchers allrounder, Nick Fletcher has had a solid start to the season. In 9 matches, the right armer has taken 12 wickets at an average of 15.83 and claimed his best figures of 6-34.

Benji Floros (Valley)

• At a height of 195cm with plenty of pace bowling experience, Benji Floros (Valley) has shown consistency and determination with his 24 wickets this summer. The Queensland Second XI player will be sure to do damage across this 3-day match.

Aryan Jain (South Brisbane)

• After a slower start to the season, Aryan Jain (Souths) has found some solid form over the last month. This includes 122* vs Sandgate in December and two scores of 41.

Tighe Morris (Valley)

• One of the younger players in the PC Invitational, Tighe Morris (Valleys) has done wonders with both bat and ball this season. The right arm off spinner has taken 17 wickets alongside his 541 runs off the bat at an average of 41.62. Morris is also a current member of the Queensland U19s side that travelled to Adelaide last month.

Sam Neale (Northern Suburbs)

• Toowoomba product, Sam Neale (Norths) has proved his selection with his 28 wickets at an average of 19.07. Neale can also wield the willow, having 248 runs this summer with a quickfire 84.

Will Sanders (University of Queensland)

• After a stint in Tasmania with the Hobart Hurricanes, Will Sanders (UQ) has relocated back to Brisbane and is taking a mountain of poles. The former Australia U19s representative has ripped through 29 wickets this season with his raw pace.

Liam Smith (Redlands)

• Liam Smith from Redlands Tigers has scored 235 runs in his last three innings alone. Averaging 45 for the Summer, if anyone is to score runs this weekend it will certainly be Smith who has been a mainstay in the Tigers 1^st XI since 2017.

Callum Taylor (Gold Coast)

• Gold Coast local, Callum Taylor (Gold Coast) has done no wrong this season with 567 runs and 15 wickets under his belt. The economical off spinner has only gone for 3.48 per over.

Charlie Thomas (Valley)

• Securing a breakout season, Charlie Thomas has gone from strength to strength. The left arm seamer has proceeded to take 31 wickets across all formats. Securing career best figures of 6-57, Thomas has been a real asset to this seasons Valley line up.

Ryan Walker (Northern Suburbs)

• Another 2019 Australia U19 representative, Ryan Walker (Northern Suburbs) has been taking wickets for fun across all formats. This includes 41 at an average of 19.34 bowling left arm spin.

The Queensland Premier Cricket team will be coached by Wynnum-Manly Club Coach Wes Aspeling and will be assisted by Queensland Cricket’s Academy Coach Gavin Fitness.

 

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