Durbridge haul has team eyeing upset
A FIVE-wicket haul from paceman Michael Durbridge has put Queens in the frame to secure an upset Kookaburra Cup win over Mudgeeraba Nerang.
Durbridge took 5-25 from 22 overs, bowling 11 maidens, as Queens kept their opponents to a total of 153 in their Round 14 first grade battle on Saturday.
It was the first time Queens had played on their new wicket at Greg Chaplin Oval and they are in line to deliver Mudgeeraba Nerang’s second loss of the season when they meet for day two this Saturday.
Queens ended the day at 2-14 from 10 overs after losing Matt Barber (9) and Sam Winton (0).
But the early losses have done nothing to diminish the optimism of Queens captain Jack Winton, who was confident his side held the advantage going into day two.
“We went for a batter-heavy line-up and the bowlers did the job so I’m pretty confident we will knock off the runs we need to get,” Winton said.
“Michael (Durbridge) had the ball on a string. he was swinging it both ways and seaming it off the deck.
“We got a new wicket put in at the start of the year and this was our first time on it.
“It was doing a bit. There is a nice cover of grass on the wicket so the ball held up well all day.
“It was good to bowl them out for 150-odd. I have (predicted they will be) in the finals so to knock them off, when I would have taken 200 at the start of the day, was a big bonus.”
Elsewhere, Runaway Bay No.3 Rhys Howarth dug deep to face 189 deliveries for 124 runs as his teammates fell 9-90 over 72.2 overs at Sam Loxton Oval.
At Hession Oval, Helensvale
Pacific Pines batsman Jack Lickiss was cruelly dismissed for 99 as his side batted out their 75 overs to post 9-240 against Alberton Ormeau at home.
Hurricane Will Hudgson led Alberton with the ball with 5-40 from an 11-over spell.
Coomera Hope Island declared at 9-252 during day one of their clash with Palm Beach Currumbin, who went on to face 13 overs, finishing the day at 2-37.
Burleigh made 115 runs away from home before Broadbeach Robina reached 0-23 at stumps.