Top performers produce blazing centuries, six-wicket hauls

Timely tons by Queensland batsmen Sam Heazlett and Matt Renshaw were among the leading efforts in the latest weekend of Premier Grade cricket. Catch the other star performers.

Queensland batsman Matt Renshaw was in fine touch playing for Toombul in their latest first grade cricket match against Northern Suburbs. Picture: John Gass

Timely tons by Queensland batsmen Sam Heazlett and Matt Renshaw were among the leading efforts in the latest weekend of Premier Grade cricket.

Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat batsman Heazlett plundered 145 not out for Redlands against bayside rivals Wynnum-Manly on the opening day of the Queensland Premier Grade two-day competition.

His decisive Saturday innings had Redlands (4/243 declared) in a strong position against Wynnum Manly (139) at Carmichael Park.

Renshaw compiled 110 for Toombul against Northern Suburbs on the same day. Renshaw was preparing to play for the Queensland Bulls in the Sheffield Shield match starting on Tuesday. However, the Bulls v Tasmanian Tigers match was postponed due to the latest Covid-19 scare.

Toombul batsman Matt Renshaw building another valuable century. Picture: John Gass

The two-day Premier Grade competition was launched with other impressive scorers, led by Sunshine Coast middle order talent Brendan Schultz.

The Bundaberg product smashed 149 to set up his side’s imposing total of 9/365 - the highest of the four matches, which continue on Saturday.

The ranks of the KFC Queensland Cricket Premier clubs have been swelled by a steady trickle of players from NSW due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

However, a number of Queensland-bred cricketers turned on an entertaining show over the weekend.

Simon Milenko spearheads the Redlands attack on his way to snaring 6/36 in the first grade match against Wynnum Manly on Saturday. Picture: John Gass

In the bowling ranks, Redlands all-rounder Simon Milenko snared 6/36.

Queensland opening batsman Bryce Street also strengthened his all-round representative claims with 6/62 for Sandgate-Redcliffe against the Sunshine Coast.

The Team of the Week features top performers from the start of the two-day competition on Saturday, along with Sunday’s best in the one-day quarter-finals and T20 cricket across the grades.

Redlands players celebrate a wicket in their latest first grade match against Wynnum Manly. Picture: John Gass

In the Katherine Raymont Shield T20 rounds on Sunday, Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat dasher Grace Harris produced two superb innings.

Harris struck 97 from 46 balls and 92 (off 48 balls) against Gold Coast and Valley as she steps up her preparations for next month’s Women’s Big Bash League competition.

Charli Knott is a handy bowler as well as consistent run scorer. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Walker

Her Heat and Fire teammate Charli Knott continued her golden run, making 62 off 39 and 81 (54 balls) for University of Queensland. That earnt Knott her third Team of the Week appearance in a row.

Another impressive effort came in the Kookaburra One Day competition qualifying finals on Sunday.

That featured Sydney Sixers all-rounder Hayden Kerr who make a swashbuckling 150 playing for Gold Coast in the win over Sandgate-Redcliffe.

Here’s the latest KFC Queensland Premier Cricket team of the week from games played on September 25 and 26:

Charlie Knott (University of Qld): 62 off 39 balls; 81 off 54

Grace Harris (Western Suburbs): 97 off 46 balls; 92 off 48

Sam Heazlett (Redlands): 145

Hayden Kerr (Gold Coast): 150

Laura Kimmince (University of Queensland): 89 off 48 balls

Brendan Schultz (Sunshine Coast): 149

Mikayla Wrigley (Sunshine Coast): 68 off 59 balls; 59 off 47

Courtney Sippel (Gold Coast) 2/30 and 67* (64); 3/11 and 38 (41)

Simon Milenko (Redlands) 6/36

Bryce Street (Sandgate-Redcliffe): 6/62

Connor Sully (Northern Suburbs): 5/29

Arlen Wells-Peris (South Brisbane): 5/27

Matt Renshaw (Toombul): 110

TEAM OF THE WEEK ROUND 3

Other round highlights included:

Former Queensland paceman Luke Feldman took 6/83 for Norths;

University’s Angus Lovell made his first ton for his new club after switching from the Sunshine Coast;

Townsville product Bradley Radford belted 140 for the Gold Coast in their one-day qualifying final against Wynnum-Manly in Alan Pettigrew Shield Second Grade play;

Joshua Del Simone made 118 for 171 balls for Western Suburbs in second grade;

First grader Tara Staines compiled 76 off 62 deliveries for the Sunshine Coast;

Hugo Burdon hit 106 for Gold Coast against the Ipswich Hornets.

Ipswich Hornets fast bowler Sam Doggett pulled up short with a hamstring injury in the opening weekend of two-day competition.

Sudden change of fortunes

After a promising start finishing third after the three opening one-day matches, Ipswich Hornets head coach Aaron Moore was extremely disappointed in his team’s latest effort.

The Hornets could only muster 117 at Baxter Oval on Sunday, allowing sixth-placed Valley to reach 5/120 and secure a semi-final spot.

The other one-day quarter-final winners were Gold Coast (4/280) against Sandgate-Redcliffe (140), University of Queensland (5/297) against Redlands (195) and Northern Suburbs (8/248) against Toombul (10/152).

Moore had been pleased with his team’s one-day progress before the wrong time for a lapse.

“We didn’t play well at all,’’ Moore said.

“We got in trouble with early wickets and probably got a little bit flustered. We couldn’t find a way to get back into the game.

“One hundred and seventeen was never going to be enough even though we gave them a bit of a scare.

“It was a shame to get to a quarter-final and things don’t go your way and you can’t get past it.’’

Aaron Moore is back on Ipswich Hornets head coaching duty after recently working with Western Power in the Brisbane Premier League T20 competition.

Moore was happier with Saturday’s effort starting the two-day first grade competition.

Gold Coast was dismissed for 316 just before stumps on a placid wicket at Bill Pippen Oval.

Hornets bowlers Harry Wood (3/33), spinner Dan Wilson (3/66) and Sean Lutter (2/37) toiled hard as Hugo Burdon compiled his century.

“I actually thought we did really well on a really good batting track,’’ Moore said.

“I thought the boys just really dug deep and got into a bit of a scrap, which was great.’’

On a disappointing note, Hornets quick Sam Doggett injured his hamstring early in the match, having bowled just 7.3 overs.

The KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition features live on Kayo Freebies this summer.

On Sunday from 10am, watch Valley host University of Queensland in Katherine Raymont Shield Twenty20 action.