Co-captains Balkin and Procopis rise to the occasion for Queensland

Who has been Queensland’s best during its unbeaten run through the U19 Cricket Australia U19 male championships? Look no further than the team’s co-captains who were leading a splendid bowling attack.

Norths Alexander Procopis as a bowler this season - he has top scored three times for the Qld U19s. Picture, John Gass

Queensland survived a huge fright by the ACT to remain unbeaten at the U19 Cricket Australia U19 male championships after spin twins Jack Balkin and Tighe Morris rescued their side.

Queensland defended 121 by dismissing the ACT (117) just four runs short of their total, with co-captain and off spinner Balkin taking 4-29 and Churchie’s Morris a brave 3-7.

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Captains Balkin and Alexander Procopis bravely introduced Tiger’s leg spin just when ACT looked set to snare the upset of the tournament.

Earlier in the championships Queensland (8-222) defeated Western Australia (154), then Queensland (7-253) accounted for NSW country (177) before the young Bulls (5-204) stormed to a victory over Tasmania (9-203) with five overs to spare.

So who has led the way for Queensland?

Here is a health check on the Maroons entering Wednesday’s semi-final.

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QUEENSLAND’S PLAYERS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jack Balkin (Toombul)

The co-captain rose to the occasion in Queensland’s moment of need against ACT when he kept his cool to snare 4-29 just as the opposition assembled a winning position against the Maroons.

Jack Balkin as a schoolboy at Nudgee last year.. Picture, John Gass

A cricketer of tremendous character, Balkin’s off spin changed the complexion of the match.

Against Tasmania, Balkin also polished off the Queensland victory with 23 not out from 31 balls after Queensland had initially slumped to 4-34 - after taking 1-33 from 10 overs against the Tigers.

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

Alexander Procopis (Norths)

The classy all-rounder top scored in three innings and twice looked century bound in two matches - only to fall short.

In match No.3 against Tasmania he hit 10 fours and three sixes before being dismissed for 92.

Queensland were in crisis when he grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck to ensure his side won.

Earlier, in game No.2, Procopis stroked a dazzling 81 from 77 balls to also top score in the match.

In the opening game of the championship, Procopis found an innings top score of 53 (58 balls). His performance at these championships has underlined why he was an unlucky omission from the Australian U19 side.

Churchie bowler Tighe Morris as a schoolboy. Picture, John Gass

Tighe Morris (Valley)

In the match against the ACT, Morris displayed nerves of steel to keep his nerve in a crisis by generating a run out - and then swooping with his leg spin to snare 3-7 and win the game for his side.

In game No.2 against NSW Country, Morris also impacted the championships with the bat when he scored 63 from 85 balls.

Seth McGinty (Cairns Rovers)

McGinty wound up and let fly with his fast bowling, roaring through the NSW Country side on his way to taking 5-22 against NSW Country.

Bailey Garnham (Gold Coast)

Against the ACT Garnham contributed to Jack Balkin’s spin bowler’s success with a stumping and a catch under intense pressure, while also finishing off two run out chances helped along by throws from Tighe Morris and Steve Hogan. In a low scoring game he also scored 21.

Jayden Draper (Valley)

The Valley gloveman played as a specialist batsman in the game four against ACT, producing a match high score of 55 not out from 74 balls. It was the innings of the tournament by a Queenslander in a game where batsmen struggled to get a grip.

In game No.3 against Tasmania, Draper also soared above the pack to make a fluent 60 not out from 83 balls.

Saxon Jeh (Souths)

The young quick was let off his leash to pound through the Tasmanian batting in match No.3. Jeh took 3-26 from 10 overs, and with support from fast bowling enforcer Callum Vidler (2-26), he was able to exert himself on the match.

Callum Vidler of Queensland earlier this season. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Callum Vidler (Valley)

Fast bowler Vidler was at his brutish best against Western Australia when he bowled 9.4-2-21-3 to spearhead Queensland to victory.

It was not just the wickets he took, but the pressure he built on the opposition which would have no doubt helped his bowling mates Luke Wegner (Souths, 2-32) and Charlie Lachmund (Ipswich, 3-33) to success.

Vidler also impacted the next game against Tasmania when he claimed 2-26.

Queensland is fortunate to have such a fine young paceman.

Special mention to Far North Queensland talent Aidan Firman (52) who got going against Western Australia.