Final just the start for Marcus

MARCUS McGregor-Cassady has missed enough grand finals in his time in the Far North, but today’s one-day final is not one of them.

The Mulgrave wicketkeeper batsman will line up in a bid for glory against United then make a dash for Alice Springs to take his place in the South Australia squad for the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, with the main action starting on Monday.

McGregor-Cassady has put his hand up to take the assistant coaching reins leading into the ninth Imparja Cup carnival for his home state.

“It’s a good experience to mix culture and cricket and just playing against a different standard and it’s a tad better than the Cairns competition. You really get to test yourself,” he said.

“I put my hand up as a bit of personal development. This year is my ninth year so I’d like to help the young guys out and share my experience.”

McGregor-Cassady said it was great to see a number of players from the Imparja Cup go on to state and BBL franchise rosters.

The leadership role will be a different experience compared to his input at Mulgrave, occasionally chipping in ideas to a group with a wealth of top grade knowledge.

McGregor-Cassady played a handy cameo in Mulgrave’s last-start win over Barron and said every player was ready to step up if needed in the oneday final.

“At various points different people need to put their hand up and hopefully a couple of people can do that in the final,” he said.

“After sitting out the last few it will be nice to play in one.”