Awesome foursome lead the way for Queensland at championships

Queensland U19 cricket report card: How the rising young Bulls went at the male national championships this week.

Ipswich’s Charlie Lachmund when he was bowling the Toowoomba Grammar School.Picture, John Gass

Co-captains Alexander Procopis and Jack Balkin, spin bowling allrounder Tighe Morris and Jayden Draper were Queensland’s awesome foursome at the U19 Male Cricket Australia Championships.

Queensland had to settle for third position at the championships, and while the group would be disappointed not to have made the final, green shoots popped up consistently through the championships.

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In the play off for third Steve Hogan, who will captain the Queensland U17s next month, also scored a stunning 110 not out from 101 balls.

But it was Procopis, Balkin, Morris and Draper - who finished with 104 not out against South Australia - who were the best of the best.

Here’s how the young Queenslanders fared.

Alexander Procopis (Northern Suburbs)

The classy Procopis was outstanding with the bat - and also contributed with the ball. He generated scores of 92, 81 and 53 and enhanced his reputation against the best youth players in the country. He would have loved a century, but his batting and very handy bowling made him one of the tournament’s best players. Watch this space.

Norths bowler Alexander Procopis Norths Vs Valley. Saturday September 28, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Jack Balkin (Toombul)

The co-captain garnished an outstanding campaign by taking 3-26 in the final match against South Australia.

He consistently bowled well taking wickets and keep runs down, and earlier in the championship his 4-29 helped his side to a stunning four run win over the ACT, while

Balkin also polished off a a victory with 23 not out from 31 balls.

Underlining Balkin’s versatility was his 35 as opening in the first game of the championship.

Jayden Draper (Valley)

Draper was a big success story with the bat, with his last day 104 not out the icing on the cake. His best innings came against ACT, producing a match high score of 55 not out from 74 balls after Queensland were in tatters. Draper also soared 60 not out from 83 balls against Tasmania.

Tighe Morris (Valley)

Morris appropriately finished on a high when he snared 2-44 against South Australia bowling wrist spin. He was super consistent with the ball, but his crowning moment came against the ACT when Queensland were headed to an upset loss. Morris was involved in a run out and then swooped late with his leg spin to snare 3-7. In Queensland’s semi-final Morris also top scored with 53.

Callum Vidler (Valley)

Fast bowler Vidler was consistently a handful. His 3-21 against Western Australia and 2-26 against Tasmania were his best individual returns, but he of course built pressure from one end which helped the side in bowling partnerships.

Toowoomba Grammar School product Charlie Lachmund. Picture, John Gass

Charlie Lachmund (Ipswich)

The young quick flexed his muscles in the final man when he donned his stormtrooper’s cap to blast his way through the South Australian batsmen on his way to 4-26. He also claimed 3-33 against Western Australia, and the Toowoomba Grammar School fast bowler certainly enhanced his reputation.

Steven Hogan (Sandgate-Redcliffe)

Hogan has a habit of scoring centuries and he did not disappoint. Hogan would have been relieved to finish on a high with 110 not out after getting a few starts and not pushing on earlier in the championships. The experience would have added to his education and now onto the U17 championships in the New Year where he will captain Queensland.

South brisbane’s Saxon Jeh when he was at Valley. Picture, John Gass

Saxon Jeh (South Brisbane)

The Valley junior and now South Brisbane ace will be much better for the experience after an eye-opening campaign. He tasted success - his PB was 3-26 - but also went for a few runs here and there which is all part of the fun of the fair when you are a rising fast bowler. He is a grand prospect.

Seth McGinty bowls in the Queensland Country. Picture: Brendan Radke

Seth McGinty (Cairns Rovers)

McGinty had the joy of a five wicket haul against NSW Country, but also rose to the occasion in Queensland’s semi-final against Victorian Metro when he claimed 1-17 from six overs. He was also good in a crisis against the ACT (2-21) and overall the youngster underlined his potential at the championships.

Aidan Firman. Picture: Antony Stewart / Queensland Cricket

Aidan Firman (Norths, Cairns)

Firman (52) who got going against Western Australia and also threatened against NSW country (21, 17 balls) and remains a player of considerable potential.

Bailey Garnham (Gold Coast)

Gloveman Garnham came to the party in Queensland’s biggest match - the semi-final against Vic Metro - when his run a ball 50 sent the young Maroons hurtling toward a 200+ run total. Against the ACT he was involved in run outs, snared a stumping and a catch, and he also made 21 in a low scoring game against ACT.

Brayden Meegama (University)

The rookie kept his cool in a crisis when he built pressure across six overs (0-19) that helped keep Queensland in the game against the ACT when all seemed lost, and also did well against NSW country (0-24, seven overs) and against Western Australia (1-36, seven overs).

Luke Wegner (South Brisbane)

Wenger started like a house on fire with 2-32 against Western Australia, and the Ipswich Grammar School product remains a young quick of considerable potential.

Ben Ramsbotham (Townsville Wests)

The rookie North Queenslander would have been all eyes and ears and will be a better player for the experience.