NQ put young blood to the test
THE next generation has arrived for North Queensland.
NQ will attempt to regain its dominance of regional cricket when the North Queensland Open Zone Championships start in Mackay today, with NQ playing Cricket Far North today and Mackay- Whitsundays tomorrow.
The championships were scheduled to start a fortnight ago with Round 1 two- day games, with NQ due to face reigning titleholders Central Queensland in Rockhampton but wet weather forced cancellations.
NQ open coach David Todd said preparations had remained on track despite the disruption, and he was confident in the team’s incoming players to make their mark.
Long- time NQ captain and Australian Country representative Tony Hampson will not play for the first time in over a decade, with the wicketkeeper batsman replaced by rising talent and Queensland Elite squad member Josh De Munari.
Hampson’s captaincy will be passed over to Wanderers’ Ryan Eaton.
Other young bloods in the team include Saints hitter Tom Sky, who will bat at number three, and Wests’ orthodox spinner Jack Raffles.
“We have five under- 21 players in the team, so we have a pretty young side,” Todd said.
“But they’re all good players and they’ve playing great cricket lately.
“A few of them have been getting runs at the top of the order for their respective clubs, and a couple of the boys have been taking plenty of wickets.
“They’re primed and ready to go.”
Sub Parks’ big hitter Riley Ward will be unavailable through injury, but experienced NQ players including Reece Danaher, Herbie Heuir and Brad Stout will be on deck. Todd said it was crucial NQ got its weekend off to a winning start.
“Far North have been very strong over the last couple of years and they’ll be tough,” he said.
“Mackay- Whitsundays will be wanting to play well at home, so they’re going to be two tough games.
“But we definitely have the team and the players to have a really good two days of cricket.”
NQ will also field teams in the North Queensland under- 18 and under- 21 competitions.
A Queensland Country North team will be selected at the end of the tournament to play South Queensland.
Townsville Cricket senior matches have a bye this weekend, and resume next weekend.