NORTHS PRAY FOR HARKER MAGIC

NORTHS will be looking for top-order batsman Coen Harker to take on more responsibility today – with both bat and ball.

Harker has emerged as a future all-rounder for the club this season, forced into a first-change bowling role following pre-season injury to leading quick Sam Collingwood.

But that responsibility is only going to increase today as the club deals with the loss of exciting youngster Matt Wiseman, who has headed south for tertiary studies.

It puts more pressure on the bowling line-up with reserve grade skipper Matthew Grant stepping up to the top grade to take the new cherry along with veteran all-rounder John Short.

Harker will remain first change, but skipper Matt Mcguire will look to him to emerge as a potential wicket-taker if opposition Brothers begin to get away from their openers.

“You probably wouldn’t class him as a bowler in a fully fit A Grade side, but it is very slim pickings for our side,” Mcguire said.

“The great thing is the players do try hard. Coen is down at training every time working on his bowling and doing his best for the team. You get that pride seeing your mate showing up and having a fair crack.

“There has been improvement. Definitely from when he first started, he has gotten a lot better. He has a lot more control, he is bowling a lot closer to those stumps.”

While he looks to Harker to become a genuine wicket-taker, Mcguire knows it is with the bat that he has most value as Norths aim to bat Brothers out of the reduced 35-over-a-side fixture.

Not only will they need to bat time, but also need to take the attack to the Brothers bowlers in an effort to upset the rhythm of the third-placed side.

“Against a team like Brothers you have to keep the run rate ticking over. You can’t just hold up an end,” Mcguire said. “You have to put the pressure back on their bowling outfit.”