Mate versus mate at GPS cricket match between Gregory Terrace and Nudgee College

Cricket has had some great wicketkeeper and bowling combinations over the years. There was Lillee and Marsh, Ian Healy and Shane Warne, but another fine gloveman-bowler association is brewing between Noah McFadyen and Toby Snell.

Cricket has had some great wicketkeeper and bowling combinations over the years.

There was Lillee and Marsh, Ian Healy and Shane Warne, but at club level another fine gloveman-bowler association is brewing.

Norths teammates Noah McFadyen and Toby Snell have just passed the 100 dismissal mark, with the pair having started together at Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club before continuing at Norths senior third grade outfit. In between there has also been an array of representative carnivals.

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“We have discussed it (their dismissals together). It is probably just over 100, give or take,’’ Snell said.

But last weekend at St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace’s International Oval at Tennyson the best of mates on and off the field found themselves on opposing sides. It was only the second occasion in schoolboy cricket they have played against each other.

McFadyen opened the bowling for St Joseph’s Nudgee College while Snell opened the batting for Terrace.

It was swing bowler McFadyen who won the day, snaring his mate Snell caught behind for 14.

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Snell also remembers the only other occasion, in year 9, when the two mates collided.

“He nicked me off caught at second slip, but the second slipped dropped it,’’ Snell recalled.

There was no lucky escape for Snell at the weekend in the First XI clash, but now that is over the pair will go on combining in the middle at Norths while also helping their respective GPS colleges.

Toby Snell of Gregory Terrace and Noah McFadyen from Nudgee College.

Their history is considerable.

They played representative schoolboys cricket for Met North and Brisbane North, played under 12 and under 15 Queensland teams and toured Dubai with the Australia under 16s last year.

“It was a really good experience and to be there with Toby was even better,’’ McFadyen said.

Asked what he admired most about McFadyen, Snell offered: “He swings the ball a mile and with the bat he can play any shot.’’

McFadyen said of Snell: “His wicketkeeping is very good. He doesn’t drop many catches, although he has dropped a couple off me,’’ McFadyen smiled.

Both boys have notable older siblings.

McFadyen’s brother Connor was drafted by the Lions in November and was also an Australian under 16 cricket team member.

Snell’s older brother Isaiah plays first grade cricket for Wests and is the Queensland under 19 gloveman.