Fusion’s shot at big time
UNFINISHED business is on the cards for the Cricket Far North Fusion after a historymaking Bulls Masters Country Challenge Cup T20 carnival.
The representative side has earned another shot at a Big Bash curtain-raiser at the Gabba after a 19-run win Gold Coast in a qualifying match in Mackay on Sunday.
The Fusion had to overcome a shock first-up loss to Mackay-Whitsunday Nitros to reach the last stage – the defeat inspiring the squad to take up a “whatever it takes” approach to remaining group stage wins over Darling Downs-SWQ and Wide Bay.
Tom Lever (52) and Chris Stanger (38) led the way with the bat in the final match, paving the way for Jake Roach to smash 20 off seven balls, catapulting the Fusion to 5-142 off their 20 overs.
The execution was just as impressive with the ball, not allowing Gold Coast’s batsmen to gain any momentum.
Stanger reaped the rewards with 3-18 to complete the win.
Fusion coach Rhys Mitchell paid tribute to the team for rising to the challenge to knock off one of the favourites of the competition.
“Gold Coast was three (wins) and zero (losses) before we played them so that says it all. They were the best team here by far but we pulled it off,” he said.
“We had a slogan this week and that was ‘whatever it takes’ and enough said, we did the job.”
Mitchell said last year’s disappointment at the Gabba was a motivator for returning players and the match up against Mackay, who beat them on the first night, would help fire up new members of the squad when they next meet on December 30.
He also praised the top order for leading the way during the tournament, with both Tom Lever and Dan Parnell piling on more than 100 runs across the four matches
Each player carried their bat in an innings while Jake Roach, who took a hat-trick against Mackay, was not dismissed at all – the first time for each feat at the carnival. JACOB GRAMS COMICAL catching woes have hampered Atherton’s efforts to keep Norths within reach in Round 3 CFN firstgrade action.
The match started without seven regulars due to representative cricket alone and it showed in the field for the visitors.
Ross Hudson, who joined Norths after moving from England, took advantage with 68 runs in a total of 8-266, admitting to more than a few loose shots as he battled the unfamiliar tropical heat.
“It was about five or six times or so (I was dropped). I played quite a few loose ones because I’m not quite used to the heat over here yet,” he said.
Hudson said his effort was a massive confidence boost as he