Iggy Park hard to beat
DEFENDING state T20 finalists Ignatius Park College have geared up for another assault at schoolboy cricket glory, starting with the NQ School Cup on Thursday.
A fearsome batting line-up including six players with B grade experience in Townsville senior cricket has painted Ignatius Park into local favouritism once again.
All eyes will be on senior all-rounder Christian Payne, who blasted an incredible 147 not out in 46 balls on Endeavour Oval in this competition last year.
Despite the graduation of stars Cody Sadler and Ryan Mccarron, coach Chris Bailey tipped his Ignatius Park side had gotten even stronger with the bat this season.
“We had some really high class cricketers last year but we’re probably a bit stronger with our batting line-up this year,” Bailey said.
“Christian Payne’s knock last year – I’ve never seen anything like it in junior cricket.
“He’s hitting the ball just as well as he did last year, and the way he gets his hands through the ball is arguably just as good as last year.
“I’m not sure if we’ll something like that ever again, but that was definitely impressive.”
Standing in Ignatius Park’s way at Endeavour Park will be Southern Cross Catholic College, Townsville Grammar School and arch rivals Kirwan State High School.
The latter schools are newer to cricket, and will lean heavily on their more experienced players in batter Mahava Vyas (Grammar) and Kirwan pair Jeremy Harding (express pace) and Toby Woodbury (top order bat).
The real opposition will come from Southern Cross, who will send out a stacked First XI of its own.
An A Grade calibre pace battery of Declan Murray (Wanderers) and Oskar MorrisonBeard (Norths), top order bats Ryan Higgins exciting Year 10 Finn Carroll and the Adami twins, Zack and Kai, round out a talented outfit able to take the fight to Ignatius Park.
“We’re really confident about what we can do with the side,” coach Chris Horn said.
“Nearly all of the boys have represented at North Queensland level and a lot of them have been playing cricket for the College for the last five years.
“Their strengths will be how hard they are hitting the ball and an impressive pace bowling attack as well.”
Southern Cross have a plan for all 90 deliveries in the short 15 overs per side competition and admit they have a target on Iggy Park’s back.
“You’ve got to take every opposition seriously but that certainly is the big game for us,” Horn said. “They’ve got a strong side as well and I’m excited to see a great contest.”
Six schools will take on the Intermediate division at Gill Park with the main action on Endeavour.