Gladstone cricketer Jeff Case selected in Qld Country open men’s team

Gladstone’s Jeff Case has caught the eye of selectors and is now set for a career highlight after he helped North Qld conquer its southern rivals.

Gladstone cricketer Jeff Case has been selected in the Queensland Country open men's team.

Accomplished cricketer Jeff Case thrives on the mental challenge of the game.

But sheer enjoyment comes a close second for the New Zealand-born cricketer who now calls Gladstone home.

The top-order batsman celebrated his 34th birthday on Sunday with selection in the Queensland Country Brahmans, alongside fellow Central Queenslanders Joe McGahan and Logan Whitfield.

They were members of the North Queensland team that last weekend lifted the XXXX Cup in Townsville by beating their southern counterparts two games to one in Townsville.

Jeff Case is a leading performer for Gladstone club, The Glen.

The trio will be key to the Brahmans’ hopes of claiming back-to-back titles at the national championships in South Australia in January under coach Jason Wells.

Case said he was looking forward to his first Queensland Country duty, keen to produce the form that has cemented his place as one of the region’s most consistent performers.

“It’s really good,” he said of his latest rep honour.

“I wasn’t sure how things would all go. Obviously, I’ve not long moved into the region so it’s come about pretty quickly.”

Jeff Case is looking forward to his first Queensland Country duty.

Case played some first-grade games with Canterbury in senior New Zealand Cricket competitions before making the move across the ditch and ultimately teaming up with The Glen Cricket Club in Gladstone.

A capable right-arm medium pacer, Case said batting was the “main thing” for him now.

“Cricket’s a fairly mental game and you’ve got to be quite resilient, especially with batting, when it can take just one good ball and you’re sitting down after being dismissed,” he said.

“I like the challenge of it because you’re thinking about the field settings and where you’re going to score, the bowlers and what the wicket’s doing, and having to come up with a plan and problem solve.

Jeff Case at work in the nets.

“I’ve done a lot of batting at three over the years but I’m comfortable anywhere in the top four.”

Case also values the team aspect of the game he started playing at age four.

“These days, enjoying my cricket is the important thing. If I’m not enjoying it, I probably wouldn’t be playing it,” he said.

Case is looking forward to another opportunity to play alongside McGahan and Whitfield, this time with the Brahmans.

He said he was impressed with the level of cricket and quality of players in Central Queensland.

“I think the standard’s pretty good and it’s getting better and there’s some young, exciting cricketers coming through,” he said.