Toowoomba cricket deserves some praise

HOW good was it to see Australia smash England in the first Test at the Gabba.

It’s not summer in my book until the first tourist (eg visiting batsman) has been sent trudging back to the pavilion bat in hand.

Locally you’d be hard pressed to find a cricketer who hasn’t dreamed about playing on the hallowed turf of the Gabba or the MCG.

For many it will be nothing more than a dream and there are others who could make their dream a reality.

Unfortunately for Toowoomba Cricket they may lose some of those players to greener pastures before they make their dreams a reality.

The reality is making representative teams is as much about exposure as it is talent.

You may be averaging 50 with the bat against quality bowling attacks but if no-one is watching you your chances of selection are slim.

That is why Toowoomba and its surrounds lose so many young players to Brisbane - exposure and quality of competition.

Toowoomba cricket deserves high praise, though.

It may be harder for them to retain young players but it keeps producing them all the same.

Cricket has always been one of the consistently strong local competitions which is no small feat in this day and age.

Hopefully in the future we find a way to keep our young players for just that little bit longer - imagine what our local competition would be like then.

Superstar Kerr

Matildas and W-League star Sam Kerr was named Asian Football Women’s Player of the Year this week.

Kerr is a world football superstar and this award is just reward for her heroic performances for her club and country.

It’s a shame she didn’t make the shortlist for the world female player of the year - whoever made that list deserves a talking to.

I have no doubt she’ll claim that title one day.