Fusion finally seal spot at big dance
Far North to face NQ Monsoons in decider
FAR North Fusion have put years of heartbreak behind them to put together a perfect weekend and march to the Bulls Masters Country Challenge final at the Gabba.
The Fusion won all four of their games across Cazalys Stadium and Griffiths Park in the annual tournament’s debut in Cairns, smashing Country Colts Thunder by 42 runs to punch their ticket to the state capital.
And they will face their toughest adversaries, with Townsville’s NQ Monsoons sweeping aside CQ Seamers in the other semi-final to give themselves a chance of winning a third straight title.
“It feels great,” said captain Justin Reid. “We’ve played well the past three years but were knocked out in the semifinal each time. It feels so great to finally get there.”
The final match went as to plan as any game could. Openers Jake Roach and Matthew Wilkins got the Fusion off to a cracking start, the patient but hard-hitting batsmen picking their moments to punish the Colts’ attack.
Roach was first dismissed after his 34 from 20 balls, while Wilkins celebrated his 18th birthday with a gamehigh 59 runs from 60 balls, which featured four boundaries and two sixes.
The duo finished as the tournament’s highest runscorers, with Roach smashing 174 runs and Wilkins finishing with 140 runs.
It was the performance of Wilkins which made Reid smile, as it showcased the young gun’s growth.
“We spoke after the first few games, and it wasn't anything bad but it was the way he got out on Saturday morning,” Reid said.
“It was just a short chat about keeping his wicket. He backed it up Saturday night then came out and did that.
“I have the privilege of watching Roachy and Wilko at club level as well, and they’re just great cricketers.”
Brenton Edwards, a late inclusion after the Fusion had three players withdraw, blasted 33 from 18 balls.
It was the type of quickfire innings which took the game away from Colts, piling the pressure on the team led by player-mentor Cameron Boyce, who will line up for the Strikers in the Big Bash League this summer.
The Fusion will take on the Monsoons in the final on January 11, with the game to serve as a curtain raiser to the BBL clash between Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers.
And the men who represented the Fusion this weekend should get first crack, according to Reid. “There’s a lot of time between now and then, a lot of cricket, there could be injuries,” Reid said. “But the people who got us there should get first crack at being part of that team.”