Triple threat slows McAvoy rampage

WHEN the going gets tough, the true leaders will put up their hand, take on an extra load and steer their team out of trouble and into safety.

And there was no better example than that shown by Atherton’s three-pronged attack of Mick Salerno, Paul Nasser and Tom Boorman.

The triple threat – or treat for Tablelands fans – wrecked Cassowary Coast’s day at Loder Park.

The Innisfail team was travelling smoothly, passing triple figures for the loss of just four wickets as Luke McAvoy produced one of the greatest innings of his career.

McAvoy blasted eight boundaries and four sixes as he smacked 91 from 187 deliveries, but he produced the only form of resistance in an otherwise fickle Cyclones line-up.

And you can trace their collapse to the veteran and immensely talented trio.

“It started with Paul,” Salerno said. “He’s our go to when we want to dot it up and he bowled incredibly well.

“He’s just one of those guys who will rise to the occasion.”

Nasser produced one of the best spells of the season as he recovered the ascendancy for the home side, taking 3-11 from 14 overs, half of which were maidens, to tighten the screws on Cassowary Coast.

Ably supported by Salerno (3-50 from 14.4) and Boorman (3-15 from nine), Atherton tore through the rest of the line-up to dismiss the Cyclones for 138.

The visitors lost their last six wickets for 21 runs, with McAvoy the last to fall.

“It was probably one of his best innings,” Salerno said of McAvoy. “They were looking at reaching 180-odd but we started bowling to a plan and restricted them.”

With the bat in hand, Salerno, who opened for Atherton, said the plan was to attack during their 20-plus overs at the crease to set up a smaller target next week.

“We just wanted to play attacking cricket and we did get things off to a good start,” Salerno, who made 37, said.

“Now we’ll hopefully build a big enough lead so we can go for an outright.”