Cricket Far North young guns chasing NQ success

The hottest young prospects in the Cricket Far North competition are chasing success in the NQ Championships in Mackay this weekend.

Cricket Far North rep players Kai Stuchbery and Lachlan Naess are off to Mackay for the North Queensland championships. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

CRICKET Far North under-21 coach Steve Argoon is hoping his young team can make it a hat-trick of wins in the North Queensland championships in Mackay this weekend.

The under-21 side has won it both years since the concept was introduced and Argoon said a three-peat would be fitting for the Colts.

Cricket Far North is also sending an under-18 XI and an open side, and Argoon says it's a pathway to higher honours.

“That’s what I see my job as: to get players selected for a higher level,” he said.

“You can’t do too much coaching for a weekend like this because you don’t get the boys together beforehand, so it’s more about man management.”

Under-21 captain Lachlan Naess said he was looking forward to taking on players from the Townsville, Rockhampton and Mackay regions.

“It should be a lot of fun and a good challenge for some of the young guys,” he said.

“There are a few boys who haven’t played much rep cricket before.”

All three Cricket Far North sides fly out of Cairns today and will play their first matches tomorrow.

The format is 50 overs per side on the first two days, with games starting at 9am.

On Sunday, matches begin at 8am and are 45 overs per side due to travel.

North Queensland rep sides will be picked from all three age groups, to play their southern counterparts.

Originally published as Cricket Far North young guns chasing NQ success