Heavy hitter ready to fire
THE return of heavy hitter Craig Mcelligott has Brothers dreaming of a return to the very top of Townsville Cricket.
Mcelligott made a surprise return from injury during the Optus T20 tournament, and is poised to strengthen the Brothers’ top order in the back end of the season.
The club is in the best position it has been in coming out of the Christmas break in years, and with Gary Friend also returning from a serious hand injury the side is only heading upwards.
The only issue for Friend is where he fits in the order.
With Mcelligott returning as a first drop, and Herbie Heuir leading the way with the stick this season, Friend could find himself batting as low as eight.
It is a batting dilemma welcomed by Brothers skipper Reece Danaher.
“We are always pretty confident with our bowlers and their ability to defend small totals, they have been doing it all year,” Danaher said.
“Having confidence in the bowling stocks, it gives us that freedom to pick an extra batter.
“Suddenly we’re batting someone at seven or eight who is naturally a top order stick.
“Having Craig back he will go back up to three for us and it just bolsters our batting line up.” Mcelligott returned 68 runs at an average of 27 in the T20 format last month, and his own self-appraisal suggests he has plenty more improvement left.
The former Brisbane first grader was one of Brothers’ best last season hitting three half-centuries and averaging more than 30 with the bat.
His return is a boost the Brothers’ batting stocks have desperately needed this season, with the side only batting out its 45 overs twice in 10 innings and passing 200 runs once this season.
But after taking out a second-straight Andrew Symonds Cup last month, the Brothers side are riding a wave of momentum and ready to launch a late assault on the top end of Townsville Cricket.
That starts today when they walk into Riverway Stadium determined to upset reigning champions Sub Parks.
“We don’t have any more excuses,” Danaher said.
“We are sitting in third and it is the first time we have been that high going into Christmas since I have been with the club.
“It is now up to us to go out there and put it all on the line. Chasing down first place is our goal, go into finals with a bit of headwind and from there anything can happen.”
Wests, who remain in top spot after last week’s washouts, will enjoy the bye.