Brothers bolster attack

THE reinforcements have arrived for Brothers ahead of their crucial clash with Saints.

Strike bowler Justin Rawlins will play his first Townsville Cricket game for Brothers this year after recovering from a hamstring injury and young Queensland representative Brendan Haylett returns to club duty from the Australian Under- 17 championships.

Top order batsman Cooper Guest will not be available for the Brethren, but captain Reece Danaher said everything was in place for his side to give Saints a run for their money.

Saints endured a winless start to the season in their first two games, but rediscovered their mojo last weekend, beating Norths by seven wickets.

Adding to the importance of today’s fixture is the fact Townsville Cricket will have a two- week break from next weekend because of representative fixtures.

“It’s a really big weekend for everyone,” Danaher said.

“We and Saints have usually battled it out for that third and last finals spot in the past few years, and right now they’re a little bit ahead of us.

“But it’s a really congested competition at the moment.

“This is a big game for us if we want to bounce back.”

Brothers suffered a 30- run loss to defending champions Suburban Parks last week, despite bowling out Subs for 196.

Rawlins will add further strike power to a Brothers attack that featured impressive spells from Herbie Heuir ( 3/ 18) and Heath O’Brien ( 3/ 38).

Meanwhile, Wests will get the biggest test of their unbeaten start to the season when they host Sub Parks at Cutheringa Park. Norths and Wanderers play the round’s other game at Endeavour Park.