Elbow injury won’t keep Ford out of clash
A LATE scare has been sent through the North Queensland representative cricket camp ahead of the weekend’s zone championships in Cairns with young all-rounder Lachlan Ford under an injury cloud.
Ford was forced to see a physiotherapist after he damaged his elbow in Wests win over Norths at the weekend.
The all-rounder, who is equal second on the Townsville Cricket A Grade wickettakers list, even called North Queensland skipper Craig Mcelligott to pull out of the weekend’s action.
But Mcelligott eased the concerns of Ford, and declared he had a spot in his 11 as long as he wanted it.
“I have some ligament damage to my elbow, I called Craig because I don’t want to be the bloke who rolls up to the bus and announces to blokes I can’t throw the ball,” Ford said. “I wanted to put the team first. I didn’t want to be the bloke who missed a run out, or turned ones into twos because I can’t throw it in.
“But Craig said it was common for blokes to carry niggles and told me to still come away. I am happy to be involved in the team, it is a very strong competition at the moment and to be recognised in the top 12 players is a big thing.”
It is understood that Ford can still bowl and bat without discomfort but struggled to throw the ball at the weekend.
The North Queensland side will play a 50-over and T20 game against Far North at Cairns’ Griffiths Park on Saturday and Sunday respectively.