Quirky cricket competition set to launch in Cairns

Far North cricket fans won’t have to wait until September to hear the soothing sound of leather on willow, with an exciting variation of the sport hitting Cairns this month.

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Far North cricket fans won’t have to wait until September to hear the soothing sound of leather on willow, with an exciting variation of the sport hitting Cairns this month.

Launching in the region for the first time, the Last Man Stands competition fuses Twenty20 cricket with radical rules in a bid to increase player participation and enjoyment.

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Cairns cricketers have joined forces to form a local Last Man Stands Twenty20 cricket competition. Player Akhil Narayanan Nair, umpire Jack Osborne, player Ashwin Laileswaran and organiser Jaime Newfield (crouching) will kick off the competition on July 12. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

With each team fielding just eight players, other law changes, which include allowing a team’s last remaining batsman to bat alone and the double play rule, where two players can be dismissed off the same delivery, form a key part of the competition.

LMS Cairns franchisee Jaime Newfield played the sport on the Gold Coast for eight years before moving to Cairns and deciding to start his own competition.

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Cairns cricketers have joined forces to form a local Last Man Stands Twenty20 cricket competition. Ashwin Laileswaran is ready to hit some sixes when the competition kicks off on July 12. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

He said LMS cricket provided the perfect opportunity for those with busy lifestyles to stay involved in the sport.

“It’s only two hours a game and the rule changes give players more of a chance to get involved,” he said.

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“It appeals to a lot of social teams and it is all about having fun.”

Last Man Stands cricket began in London in 2006 and is now played by more than 100,000 cricket fans around the world, with competitions set up in more than 140 cities in 12 different countries.

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All teams are given a city and world ranking, with detailed profiles allowing players to compare statistics with others from around the globe.

The game also offers incredible opportunities to compete on a national and international stage, and travel the world playing cricket.

Cairns cricketers have joined forces to form a local Last Man Stands Twenty20 cricket competition. Players Akhil Narayanan Nair and Ashwin Laileswaran, umpire Jack Osborne and organiser Jaime Newfield will kick off the competition on July 12. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

The inaugural LMS Cairns Winter Season will start July 12, with spots still available for any interested teams or individual players, and will run for 11 weeks, including finals.

LMS Cairns will host an open day tomorrow at Walker Rd, Edmonton, with games starting at 10am and 12.45pm.

For more information, visit the Last Man Stands Cairns Facebook page or www.lastmanstands.com/play-cricket/cairns.

KEEP ARM ROLLING OVER IN WINTER

WE might still be five months away from the start of summer but it’s never to early to roll the arm over in the Far North.

As well as the inaugural Last Man Stands competition, which will commence from Sunday, July 12, the Innisfail District Cricket Association is also holding its annual Super Sixes Tournament next week, with A-grade and social competitions to be held at Goondi Bend Sports Reserve next Saturday, July 11.

Originally published as Quirky cricket competition set to launch in Cairns