Vik in the thoughts of Queens players
THERE will be no formal ceremony to pay tribute or to commemorate his passing but friends, family and the adopted family of Vikas Malhotra at Queens Cricket Club will remember the popular cricketer this weekend as the oneyear anniversary of his death approaches.
Malhotra suffered a heart attack at 71 not-out while playing for Queens against Surfers Paradise in third grade on November 24, 2019.
The 43-year-old was a beloved member of the Southport club he first joined in 1997 after emigrating from India.
Long-time teammate Peter Goodchap said the club would not be doing a big event, instead leaving Malhotra’s mates to honour him in their own way this weekend.
Queens first grade captain Jack Winton said every cricketer at the club would have ‘Vik’ in their thoughts this weekend.
“Everyone at Queens will spare a moment for Vik,” he said.
“One of the boys, probably Sam (Winton), will get up and chat to the boys in the changeroom.
“He’ll mention how much Vik was a part of Queens and how getting the win would be a special thing to do for him.”
That emotional energy will be important for Queens as they take on a Helensvale Pacific Pines team who also shared a connection to Malhotra through the family of Andy Lickiss, who played alongside played him.
“Helensvale have had the wood over us for the last couple of years,” Winton said.
“If we want to stay in touch with the Top Four we have to
keep winning because there are a lot of strong sides out there.”
Helensvale Pacific Pines will contest the Kookaburra Cup T20 final on Sunday at Sam Loxton Oval.
Winton said the team’s strength in the T20 format could also its undoing in the 40-over game.
“Scoring quickly is their strength and also their weakness,” the skipper said.
“Our goal is to rattle them early, get a few wickets and get on top.
“That’s how we want to play.”
Queens are part of a midtable logjam with six clubs separated by six points or less.
The logjam will be lucky to survive the week with a stack of clashes between teams with dreams of going all the way.
First-placed Mudgeeraba Nerang will take on Surfers Paradise (7th).
Palm Beach Currumbin, which is in second spot, will host sixth-ranked Broad
beach Robina, which will contest the T20 final with Helensvale on Sunday.
Third-placed Southport Labrador will travel to Alberton Ormeau (8th).
Malhotra’s former third grade team will take on Tamborine Mountain at Chris Wills Oval, Mount Tamborine at 12.15pm.