Burton bullish Sharks can win

OPENING bat Ed Burton has been with Burleigh for five seasons now and knows what it is like playing for one of the Kookaburra Cup’s strugglers.

Heading into the second half of the season, the Bullsharks are third on the ladder and, if they can beat top-two side Broadbeach Robina today, could find themselves on top of standings.

And that would be just reward, the 30-year-old said.

Burleigh and Helensvale Pacific Pines have been the surprise packets – the Hawks are sitting fourth – but the Bullsharks’ success has not come by accident.

“We did the best with players we had and I suppose the hard work put in over the years is starting to pay off,” Burton said. “Simon (English playing coach Simon Belston) did a good job getting the new boys in here and we feel like we’re entitled to any success.”

This will be a stern test for Burleigh in the match on home turf at Avid Concrete Oval, especially with the Bullsharks missing three key players.

Burton’s brother Nick, who bats at three, and middle-order man Mark Cummings are both on holidays and keeper Chris Hall is with the Queensland side at the national country carnival in Geraldton.

Broadbeach also have veteran bat Sean Fitzsimmons over in Western Australia but he is the only player missing.

“So this will be a good test of our depth, not just for first grade but for the whole club, to be honest,” was Belston’s assessment of the situation.

Burleigh’s rise can be put down to a lift in individual statistics with Rhys McCarthy heading the Cup batting with 477 runs and their bowlers Daley Miller (17), Alex Breckin (16), Belston (14) and Tim Oxley (14) all among the wickets.

With premiers Queens having the bye, a Burleigh win with two bonus points would have them on top of the ladder, an unlikely outcome but nevertheless one that remains possible.

Another interesting clash is between Palm Beach Currumbin and Helensvale Pacific Pines at Salk Oval.

PBC are sitting second last but everybody expects the Lions to roar shortly because of their playing roster.

Helensvale are fourth and right in the finals fight.