Downs looks to spin at Shield weekend
CRICKET: Darling Downs and South West Queensland are hoping an attack boasting more spin than Canberra’s parliament house can get the job done in this weekend’s Schaeffer Shield.
With the quick stocks left in tatters, coach Kent Reimers is calling on the region’s spinners to rise to the occasion as the side prepares for three Twenty20 matches today.
He said the slower attack wasn’t necessarily a disadvantage in the shortened form of the game, and despite Shaun McCarthy likely to miss out through injury, the side would be able to lift.
“We’ve named more spinners than we’ve ever had,” Reimers said.
“It’s going to be hard with three games in a day, but I think we’re equipped with the personnel to deal with it.
“We’ve lost Dane Hutchinson from the pace bowling ranks, probably Shaun McCarthy with injury which is a huge blow and Dan Anderson was chosen for South Queensland.
“With losing three seam bowlers we’re putting a greater focus on spin and what we saw at the Bulls Masters was that spin was important at the Twenty20 level.
“Cam Brimblecombe, Kieran Gibbs and Hemel Shah are our spinners and Simon Blood can bowl a bit as well.”
The campaign kicks off at 8.30am this morning, and Reimers said a win over the Gold Coast would be crucial for their chances of lifting the silverware.
“Our first game is against our old arch rival the Gold Coast, and I believe if we can get a victory it will set us up for the next two games,” he said.
“Getting off to a good start is out first objective. We can’t count our chickens early but if we don’t win our first game our chances of winning are pretty much over.”
As well as the regional based squad, four local players will feature in the South Queensland U21s side as they push for selection in the touring Queensland Country team in December.
Brandon Walker, Dan Anderson, Kane Bradford and Luke Neale will line up for the representative side, and will face off against club teammates when they clash with DDSWQ in round three later this afternoon.
DDSWQ squad: Chris Gillam, Aaron Paul, Kris Glass, Chris Hall, Simon Blood, Matt Hallas, Hemel Shah, Sam Neale, Kieran Gibbs, Matt Elford, Daley Martin, Jack Carter, Shaun McCarthy (TBC - injury).