Mitch’s bid to go out hitting

GOLD Coast Thunder vicecaptain Mitch Freeman is making no secret of his desire to bow out from McPherson Shield duties in style but concedes he may need to lift for his dream to become a reality.

Twelve months after playing a key role in the Thunder’s charge to back-to-back South Queensland under-18 crowns, Freeman and his teammates will head to Gatton today with a third-straight title in sight.

The 18-year-old opener piled on 119 runs at 29.75 for the Thunder last year but has struggled to convert starts into matchwinning knocks in seven Kookaburra Cup games this season, averaging 18.57 at the top of the order for Queens.

Freeman’s final McPherson Shield campaign will include a one-dayer against SEQ today (9am) before a T20 encounter with Wide Bay tonight (6.30pm) and a second oneday outing against Darling Downs tomorrow (8.30am).

And he is determined to make the most of his second chance.

“It was good to win it last year. We obviously want to go there and win it (again),” the Queens junior, who will act as right-hand man to Thunder captain Connor Brown, said.

“John Kerr (coach) has spoken about it a little bit, just saying we want to win it. We’ve got a pretty good team.

“It was just a team effort (last year). We batted well, bowled well and fielded well. It

is good to represent the Gold Coast. I was wanting to make (the team).

“I’ve just been throwing my wicket away (this season). I’ve been getting a fair few starts and getting out.”

Freeman will be absent from the Queens line-up as they chase maximum points against Coomera Hope Island at Greg Chaplin Oval today.

The Centaurs rolled the visitors for just 76 last weekend, making 124 in reply before Coomera reached 2-46 from 11 overs in their second innings.

At Canary Island Palm Sales Oval, Broadbeach Robina will resume at 1-70 chasing Runaway Bay’s 126, while Helensvale Pacific Pines are 2-28 in pursuit of Palm Beach Currumbin’s 201 at Salk Oval.

Mudgeeraba Nerang posted 172 before Southport Labrador reached 1-27 in reply, with Burleigh (0-29) facing a monumental assignment against Surfers Paradise (7-334 declared) after Nathan Reardon smashed 163.