Is this St Joseph’s Nudgee College’s greatest First XI?

It is a GPS sporting powerhouse that has produced state players left, right and centre. So what is St Joseph Nudgee College’s greatest First XI cricket side? We may have found it.

It is a GPS sporting powerhouse which has produced state players left, right and centre, and multiple internationals.

So what is St Joseph Nudgee College’s greatest First XI cricket side?

It is no easy task when you consider people like these cricketers went on to play first class, Test, T20 or one-day internationals cricket:

* Jim Maher

* Joe Burns

* Brendan Nash

* Nathan Hauritz

* Chris Lynn

* Mitchell Swepson

* Scott Brandt

* Glen Batticciotto

* Corey Barsby

* Dom Michael

* Nathan McSweeney

* Max Walters

Then you have a long list of club cricketers, including current rookie on the rise Connor Sully (Norths, Australian under 19) and school legends like Terry McKenna.

Even champion Wallaby Paul McLean shone on No.1 oval for the First XI, winning the bowling award in the year he played.

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How is this for Nudgee’s greatest XI - plus a 12th man

Qld cricketer Jim Maher batting. Cricket - Qld vs WA Sheffield Shield match. a/ct

JIM MAHER

The Queensland cricket legend who rose to play one-day internationals for Australia, including at the 2001 World Cup, Maher was a match winning batsman - and leader - when he helped Nudgee to win a First XI premiership. “Jimmy Maher not only dominated GPS cricket with the bat, but excelled with his leadership,’’ praised GPS sporting doyen Ron Cochrane. “The boys in the NC 1st XI also played for their skipper. Even as a schoolboy, he was a charismatic character and as tough as nails.’’

Max Walters is felled with a broken jaw in 1978.

MAX WALTERS

Walters played 13 matches for Queensland between 1975 and 1978 as a right handed opener from the Sandgate-Redcliffe club who scored one century for his state. Walters played in an era of no helmets and was the victim of a broken jaw, felled by a fast bowler. It is fair to say Walters was never the same player after that incident, but he secured 13 state caps more than most people. Off the field Walters was also a wonderful contributor to Queensland cricket, serving as state chairman of selectors - including overseeing the Bulls historic 1994-95 Sheffield Shield win - and later as CEO.

Joe Burns during the early years of his career. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

JOE BURNS

A modern day gun who should take great pride in a fabulous career. Although dropped from the Test team earlier in the summer, Burns’ reputation as a fine Test cricketer (23 Tests, 1442 runs at 36.97) and good person will remain untarnished. Like Jim Maher, Burns is from the Northern suburbs club who has contributed to the Brisbane Heat’s late season burst.

TERRY MCKENNA

McKenna is a legend in the hallways of Nudgee College. McKenna played in the early 1930s where he scored a number of GPS centuries. Sadly, his life was cut short when he died serving his country during WWII. But his legend lives on and Nudgee stalwarts insist he be named captain - such is his standing at the college.

Chris Lynn scores his maiden century.

CHRIS LYNN

One of the most extraordinary batsmen in the history of Queensland cricket, Lynn makes this side in a canter. Before being curtailed with a back injury, Lynn was working his way into Test cricket selection, but it is in the Big Bash where Lynn has thrilled onlookers with big hitting that is second to none in Australia.

Nathan Hauritz batting for Queensland.

NATHAN HAURITZ

Hauritz was born to play cricket - after all he was delivered by the mother of Queensland fast bowling legend Carl Rackemann. A border from the South Burnett, Hauritz was a good lower order batsman who played straight and a lovely off-spin bowler. Displaying nice variations of pace, Hauritz bowled his way into the 2001 Australian World Cup squad and in all played more than 50 short form games for his country. Starved of first class bowling opportunities because of the strength of the Queensland pace attack, he moved to New South Wales where he won 17 Test caps, including a haul of 5-56.

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

NOAH McFADYEN

An under age Queensland and Australian representative, McFadyen was playing first grade at Norths at the same time he was captaining the Nudgee XI last season. A nice swing bowler with lovely control, McFadyen is also an excellent left handed batsman and his presence in this side provides welcomed balance.

TRENT PALMER

The apple doesn’t not fall far from the tree. Palmer was the gloveman during Nudgee’s last GPS First XI premiership winning side, and now the former Toombul first grader is assistant coach of the current First XI alongside Terry Oliver.

Mitchell Swepson bowling during Australian cricket training ahead of the third test match against New Zealand at the SCG. Picture: Brett Costello

MITCHELL SWEPSON

One senses we are only just seeing the best of Swepson, a delightful leg-spin bowler who is learning his craft the more the seasons roll by. A recent selection in the Australian Test touring squad bound for South Africa, Swepson is currently playing a key role in the Brisbane Heat’s push for a BBL title.

Scott Brant looking through practice nets.

SCOTT BRANT

Originally from Zimbabwe, Scott Brandt was a lovely left arm swing bowler who represented Queensland’s Sheffield Shield side with distinction as a support bowler to the fast bowling greats of the time. Brant took 24 wickets at 18 in on and off appearances simply because Queensland had a fast bowling group which would have been playing Test cricket for most nations around the globe.

CONNOR SULLY

An exciting Queensland pace bowling prospect who the general public are yet to see, but those in the know were extremely excited about. Watch this space around this former Australian under 19 match winner.

Bulls Batsman Brendan Nash. PicGlenn/Barnes sport cricket headshot

BRENDAN NASH ( 12TH MAN)

A diminutive left hander, Nash’s fascinating career started at Nudgee College, continued at Norths, then Queensland and finally in the West Indies - of all places - where he played 21 Tests (1103 runs at 33.42). Although his numbers were not fabulous for Queensland, he could play, don’t worry, emphasised by scores of 157 against South Australia and 176 against New South Wales. Looking to reinvent himself, Nash moved to the West Indies chasing Test selection where he was eligible due to a Jamaican father. A good fellow to have around the dressing room as well.

NOTE: Look for our round 2 GPS cricket wrap this Saturday night