Warrior hits a milestone
Qld Country star caps 150 with victory
CRICKET: Shaun McCarthy celebrated his 150th game with a double-header win in the Harding-Madsen Shield at the weekend.
The warrior veteran started playing with Wests more than 20 years ago, starting out in U9s at seven years old with his brother.
The 29-year-old is now playing is 12th season in A-grade.
“I couldn’t think of a better club to celebrate it with,” McCarthy said.
“When you start off and go through playing every grade of juniors you start to form a bond and attachment to the club.
“They make you feel very warm and welcome and that has transferred into seniors.”
Now a senior player himself, McCarthy said it’s something he hoped to pass down to the new players coming through the ranks like Matt Hallas, Sam Neale, Josh Eiser and Scott Schultz.
“A lot of the younger names starting to come through A-grade are really starting to hit their straps,” he said.
Not one to talk about himself, McCarthy has notched up an impressive resume playing for Wests and representative teams over the past two decades.
He has played for Queensland Country for the past four seasons and has been the Toowoomba Cricket Representative Player of the year in 2010/11, 2015/16 and 2016/17.
The best part for him has been watching his club grow into the success they have had over the last four years.
“When I first started we weren’t an overly strong club overall the A-grade side still needed a lot of work,” he said.
“(Winning) is not the reason you play cricket but at the end of the day I’ve been able to have so much fun with a tight knit group of players who really enjoy each other’s company.
“The success that has followed has been something pretty fantastic to look back on.”
Although he is not ready to start reminiscing over his cricketing career yet.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to play something I love for so long... I can only touch wood and cross my fingers that I’ll be able to keep playing as long as I can.”
McCarthy mentioned teammates Brian May and Phil Butchart and University captain Chris Webster as players he hoped to emulate.
“They have played well into their 40s,” he said.
May also just capped his 150th game for Wests about two weeks ago.
“We have guys who have been around a long time that help keep the club going strong,” McCarthy said.