Cricket Far North: Master Blasters: 5 brutal batsman dominating the competition
These five batters are capable of destruction at the crease and are dominating the first-grade compeition.
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One by one, we take a look at the blistering batsmen of the Far North as they breakdown their game.
Andrew Phelps /Luke McAvoy /Adam Trewin /Marcus Berryman /Matthew Wilkins
Phenomenal Phelps
Rovers batsman Andrew Phelps aims to replicate his season-high score of 73 runs from Cricket Far North’s first grade last weekend in a T20A Grand Final showdown against Mulgrave this Thursday night at Griffiths Park.
Phelps is in explosive form this season, combining his aggressive style and attacking mentality for premier performances.
With Rovers currently second on the table with an impressive eighteen-point margin, Phelps has been a key player in their success.
Phelps, 26, ranks third in first-grade runs (313), third in boundaries (40), and boasts a batting average of 44.71 this season.
Phelps said he bats with a vigorous style of play.
“I tend to be a very aggressive, front-foot-oriented batsman,” he said.
“I like to hit hard through the cover point region, my cover drive and cut shots are my strongest.”
He acknowledges the challenges of the Far North’s heat affecting mental strength and admits that less dangerous bowlers sometimes get him out, emphasising the need to balance aggression with a strategic approach.
Phelps recently returned from a triumphant Australian Country Cricket championship representing the Brahmans in Newcastle.
Usually batting at first drop, he often takes on bowlers right from the start, applying pressure on the opposition and striking the ball with immense power.
Phelps said building partnerships within the top order has massively aided his game.
“Marcus (Berryman) and I put on over a 100 last weekend and it just takes the pressure off when you’ve got someone at the other end who’s going just as aggressive and rotating the strike,” he said.
“I don’t feel like I’ve got to start scoring quicker because the run rate needs to increase.
“We’ve spoken about making sure those top four, top six put on two decent partnerships to get us a (formidable) total.
“I think it just comes down to the commitment and culture we have at Rovers,
everyone’s on the same page we’re getting down to training and improving.
“Having high-quality bowlers to work on my batting (as well as) playing alongside other quality batsman keeps you super competitive to get among the runs.”
He said he has a superstitious routine that gets him locked into the innings.
“I’ve got my own process from the start of my warm up, padding up to when I’m out in the middle to keep me locked in and focused,” Phelps said.
“They’re switch off and switch on moments to keep me focused and watching the ball.
“I like to walk away every ball, scratch the centre mark a few times on the crease,
adjust my pads then look around the field and see where the gaps are.”
Phelps said he was inspired by Australian cricketers Michael Clarke and David Warner.
“Big Michael Clark fan growing up, I’m very similar to his game growing up as a left arm orthodox bowler and then turn into more of a batsman.
“(Also), David Warner for the aggressive type of batting style.”
McAvoy a Cyclones brightspark
Cyclones batsman Luke McAvoy has consistently delivered polished performances at the crease this season, showcasing his ability to play smart shots while keeping his stumps secure.
Despite the Cassowary Coast’s struggles this season, McAvoy, 33, has been a bright spark throughout, batting courageously when chasing big scores.
At first drop, he has the fifth most runs in first-grade with 221 runs, averaging 31.57 a game, two half-centuries and 30 boundaries.
McAvoy said his driven mindset has been key this season.
“Mindset before I go out to bat is key,” he said.
“I can be a pretty slow edgy starter, but when I start off on the right foot and I am positive from the get-go that usually holds me in good stead.
“I always try to look to be active and assertive, in the past I haven’t batted with as much sturdiness as I’m doing now.
“The older I get, my mental approach to bowlers gets better, I’m always trying to get on top and stay one step ahead.
“Understanding their game and what they’re trying to do with their deliveries and field placement and then playing to my strengths.”
McAvoy put on his best performance in round three against Rovers at Griffiths Park, smashing 60 runs and grinding for a remarkable 111-run partnership with Tyron Brown after Cyclones 2-8 start.
The left-handed striker said he plays his best cricket when striking together rigid partnerships.
“For that performance, Tyrone and I, we’re good mates so we enjoy batting together and we communicate really well,” McAvoy said.
“We’re open and honest and give each other feedback to stay on task out there.
“We’ve struggled this season (as a team) to string together partnerships, we usually only have one strong partnership a game as a opposed to three or four together.
“The top teams, Rovers and Mulgrave, are able to do that for long periods of an innings.”
McAvoy said new Cassowary Coast coach John Gillett has had a huge impact on taking his game to the next level this season.
He added that James How and Ash Hammond have also assisted his technique.
Australian icon Steve Waugh was also a huge influence on his early career at the crease.
“Steve Waugh’s mental approach and resilience, he would attack the crease no matter how hard or easy it was.”
Terrific Trewin potential MVP
Barron River’s Adam Trewin is putting up numbers worthy of being considered among the best cricketers in the Cricket Far North competition.
If the season ended now, Trewin would be among a short list of candidates for CFN’s A-grade player of the year as he stamps his place as one of the competition’s best.
Trewin, 22, has showcased a masterful blend of skill and focus, with impeccable shot selection.
He had an imposing 2021-22, winning U21 player of the year and finishing second in players player of the year but he has taken his game to another level.
Trewin’s remarkable performances has seen him accumulate the second most runs in first grade (308 runs), a massive 77 batting average and 38 boundaries.
The right-handed batsman had the third highest score for the season in a round nine masterclass against Mareeba, slashing an undefeated 110 runs from 100 deliveries, which included 16 boundaries.
Trewin said Barron River’s club culture and his instinctual style of play has contributed to his terrific season
“There’s a great culture at the club at the moment,” Trewin said.
“I’ve tried taking extra responsibility, really focusing on not getting out and valuing my wicket a lot more.
“(My shots) are more instinctual, I’ve grown up not as a defensive player, but if it’s in my zone I’ll back myself to smash hit and it’s just been working out for me this season.
“You can pick the bowlers who aren’t on top of their game and head into an over with a more attacking mindset because you might be able to throw them off.”
As a junior, Trewin tried to do everything including wicket-keeping after being inspired by Australian great Adam Gilchrist to take up the gloves.
He later settled on bowling, an all-rounder capable of damaging opposition on both sides of the innings.
Trewin said his signature shots are the cover drive and pull shot, encouraged by his favourite players growing up.
“I used to love Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke,” he said.
“I did try and be a left handed batsman like Hussey but it didn’t last very long.
“My pull shot was more based on Ricky Ponting’s, I was usually (a shorter batter) playing in older age groups with my brother and bowlers would bowl short to me.
“That was my way of attacking the ball and being confident enough to back myself.”
Marcus Berryman batting with brutality
Rover’s all-rounder Marcus Berryman’s has had a blistering season to date showcasing weekly he is arguably the best batsman in the Far North.
Berryman leads the first-grade competition with the most runs (356 runs), the highest batting average (89), most boundaries (53) and the second most sixes (10).
He has a high score of 95* runs not out from 61 deliveries which he amassed against Mareeba in his previous fixture in round thirteen in another aggressive performance.
The left-handed basher said he uses a deadly mix of instinct and supreme timing in his shots, combining for damage on and off the pitch.
“I actually broke a windscreen (during the season),” Berryman said.
“Someone parked it at long on and it landed right in the windscreen.
“A lot of my shots come down to trying to be still when I’m making contact with the ball and focusing on timing.
“There’s definitely an instinctual element that plays a big role, I have a good idea of where my zones are and where I feel comfortable.
“A lot of the shots through cover and my pull shots are more natural.”
Originally from Victoria, Berryman moved up to Cairns during the pandemic, briefly suiting up for Rovers.
It wasn’t until this year that he made a full commitment to Rovers for the season and is catapulting their charge for the Cricket Far North premiership.
His aggressive mindset with both bat and ball was heavily influenced by the Australian squad of the ‘00s.
“I loved Andrew Symonds,” Berryman said.
“Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson (were some of my other favourites), the aggressive players that played the game in the right manner.
“(Symonds, in particular,) pushed me to be more of an all-rounder.
“Trying to be relatively aggressive with the bat while having an impact with the ball, similar to Andrew Flintoff.”
Berryman has also been handy with the ball, taking seven wickets for the season and giving Rovers a unique option to deploy during different parts of the innings. However, batting at fourth in the order, he has built rigid partnerships with Seth McGinty, Andrew Phelps, and Brenton Edwards over the course of the season.
Wilkins’ Triumph: From Mulgrave glory to Australian Country Cricket stardom
After a triumphant run in the Australian Country Cricket championship, local Mulgrave batsman Matthew Wilkins has been selected for the 2024 Australian Country Cricket team. Wilkins, 19, was magnificent at the championships in Newcastle, smashing 220 runs and averaging 27.50 against the premier country bowlers of Australia.
“Few of the boys were joking about (making the side),” Wilkins said. “We were just there to win the championship, and we did that.
“I’m proud of it, and it wasn’t something I thought I would get picked for.”
Representing Queensland country U19s for two years, the Mulgrave gun progressed into the Queensland Country Open side shortly before the tournament kicked off. He did not waste his opportunity. In the opening game, he stormed out to the crease as the opener with fellow local batsman Andrew Phelps and smashed 69 runs from 98 balls. He followed it up with dominant performances in rounds six and seven, scoring 48 runs from 35 balls and an unbeaten 45 runs from 83 deliveries in a man-of-the-match display.
“Just getting out there and executing my skills was the main thing,” Wilkins said. “Because we had the U19s carnival a few weeks before, it prepared me for the competition. Massive credit to the older boys, the mature heads just talking me through it and keeping me calm. Motivation from the coaching staff, Jason Wells and Tony Hampton, drilled it into us to go out there and play with the Queensland Country logo on our chest.
“We did that, and we won playing our brand of cricket.”
Queensland Country captain Sam Lowry, Claye Beams, and Josh Nelson were all significant influences. Fellow locals Jake Roach and Phelps were also supportive throughout.
“Roachy is just a workhorse,” he said. “He gives his all for the team. We needed him when ACT got off to a big start in the final game.
“Roachy came on and took five, he fought hard and won us the game (and championship).”
Wilkins has also been in phenomenal form during the Cricket Far North season with 169 runs and a 33.8 average. He said his game style has a unique mix of influences from Matthew Hayden to Usman Khawaja.
“Just the way (Khawaja) goes about it, his temperament and how calm he is,” Wilkins said.
“I loved how Matthew Hayden attacked from ball one. If the ball landed in spots he targeted, he just wouldn’t hold back.
“Warner as well because he’s just a fast left-handed batsman.”
Queensland storm home to win men’s and women’s titles
Queensland stormed home to claim the men’s and women’s Australian Country Cricket Championships in dramatic fashion, following premier performances from local competitors.
The men’s team came away with the title after claiming their final-round game as Victoria went down to NSW on the final day, losing their grip on the trophy in Newcastle.
All three sides eventually finished on 18 points, with Queensland taking home the silverware on net run rate.
All-rounder Jake Roach was sensational in the final game of the tournament, claiming 5-29 and demolishing ACT’s top and middle order. The Mulgrave machine then backed it up with the bat, showcasing his experience and knocking 35 runs from 53 balls, combining with Rovers all-rounder Andrew Phelps (40 runs from 55 balls). Queensland Country Cricket president Kev Maher said the performances of Far North representatives Andrew Phelps, Jake Roach, and Matthew Wilkins were incredible.
“It felt like one of the greatest team efforts I’ve ever seen,” he said.
“We lost Travis Busch with a stress fracture on day one, Joe Mcgahan tore his hamstring in the T20s. They had to dig very deep, but they all did, which is credit to the coach and the way the team was put together.
“I got a bit teary at the finish when they won because they had been through so much in the lead-up to get there to win it. It was just one of the bloody gutsiest efforts I’ve seen for a long time.”
Coach Jason Wells from Central Queensland and assistant coach Tony Hampton from Queensland Cricket created a remarkable team culture.
Phelps had a tough start to the tournament as the opening batsman, but after being pushed down the order to fifth and sixth, he finished the tournament strongly with 33 runs from 60 balls and 40 runs from 55 balls in his last two innings.
Wilkins scored 220 runs in nine innings, with a high score of 69 runs from 98 balls in the opening fixture. Roach scored 186 runs in eight innings, taking 11 wickets and hitting a six on five occasions.
Queensland’s women’s side finished as competition winners after overcoming Victoria in Wednesday’s final. The Vics had posted 5-151 for victory before Queensland chased down the total with four balls to spare. Local Abby Toashach was part of the side, scoring 73 runs with a high score of 19 runs.
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