Thunder on mission to claim Cup

STEVEN Baker will skipper a Gold Coast Thunder side striving to book a spot in a Big Bash League curtain-raiser.

The veteran wicketkeeperbatsman will lead a 12-man squad into the annual Bulls Masters Country Challenge, a Twenty20 tournament played between eight regional Queensland teams in Mackay, beginning tonight. The top two teams from the competition will play off for the Bulls Masters Cup, with the final to be held before a BBL match.

The Thunder will be made up of players from six Gold Coast clubs: Broadbeach Robina, Queens, Palm Beach Currumbin, Surfers Paradise, Southport Labrador and Burleigh. Among them are the three Winton brothers, including reigning Sam Loxton Medallist Jack Winton.

Their Queens teammate Jimmy Spargo will miss the tournament, however, with his wife due to give birth soon.

Each of the eight competing sides have been assigned a former Bulls player as their mentor for the tournament.

Ex-Queensland wicketkeeper Gavin Fitness has been given the mentor role with the Thunder. Thunder Team: Steven Baker, Nic Peterson, Sean Fitzsimmons, Jonathan Baldock, Ryan Kettle, Harry Winton, Sam Winton, Jack Winton, Chris Hall, Jainam Patel, Simon Belston, Jamie Weston. Coach: Shamus Robertson.