Mulgrave’s Roach a Jake of all trades
JACOB GRAMS
“It probably helps out a bit more with the bowling than it does the batting. I think everyone would say they could do with some else who bats really well,” he said.
If you consider the traditional adage of an all-rounder having a better batting average than bowling average, Lever could be considered up there with the best of them with 224 runs at 44.8 and 8 wickets at just over 17.
Dan Kearney has been battling injury this season but still managed to pump out the numbers with 159 runs at 31.8 and eight wickets at just over 15 in first grade this season.
“His all-round ability is as much to do with his fielding and he’s even kept for us for a few games. I think in the next couple of years he’ll become a really good player, which is pretty scary considering what he’s already doing,” Lever said.
Mulgrave coach Garry Wilson said all-round ability had been a huge part of the club’s success over the years, although the club has had to battle without Roach for much of the season.
Grant Phillips has been doing the top all-rounder job in his absence with 175 runs at 29 and 11 wickets at 12 for the Toads in 2016-17.
Wilson said all-rounders were useful to fill gaps in areas teams were lacking, mostly down to a lack of depth in the playing ranks.
Round 9 of Cricket Far North first grade is due to resume today, although the fixture between Atherton and Mulgrave was cancelled as of last night.
Barron vs Rovers and Norths vs Tully are the other games, both dependent on the impact overnight rain.