Norths return to full strength

A FULL-strength Norths will welcome two key players back from representative duties for their Cricket Far North oneday clash against a dangerous Rovers at Griffiths Park today.

Captain Chris Stanger and Kyle Wright return to the squad having played for the Far North Fusion last weekend at the Bulls Masters T20 Challenge in Mackay.

Norths suffered an eightwicket loss to Atherton last week in their absence but Stanger said he expected a different outcome this weekend.

“Normally we lose a few players for representative duties during the season,” Stanger said.

“It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get the job done against Atherton but we have a strong team in this week and we’ll certainly challenge (Rovers).”

Stanger said Norths expect a better performance from their bowlers with the key wickets of Rovers’ Brenton Edwards and Tom Lever crucial to securing a win.

“Those two really are their two big wickets,” he said.

“For us, our top-four batters really need to stand up and get a score and make an impact. But our bowling is our strength and we’ll be relying on our bowlers to do a job for us.”

Edwards looms as a potential matchwinner for Rovers, having scored 93 runs off 112 deliveries against Atherton in his last outing. The allrounder’s big innings included a remarkable eight sixes.

Stanger said the Fusion’s strong performance in advancing to the grand final of the T20 challenge last weekend was testament to the quality cricket being played in the region.

“Cricket Far North is going really well as a region … with a lot of good young players coming through,” he said.

The tournament’s highlight was Atherton’s Gerard Fox scoring 160 off just 70 balls against Wide Bay.

“He’s been the form bat of the competition for five seasons now,” Stanger said.

The Fusion will take on the Mackay/Whitsunday Nitros in the grand final at a date TBC.

In the round’s other matches Atherton play Mulgrave at Loder Park and United travel to Crathern Park to play Barron.