Cricket North Queensland grand final game one abandoned due to rain

Western Suburbs paceman Justin Dixon gave his side the perfect start to the 2024/25 grand final series, claiming two wickets in a maiden first over before the match was called off. Keep up with the latest.

Townsville A Grade Cricket semi final between Norths and Surburban Parks At Riverway. Norths Lane Kohler takes wicket. Picture: Evan Morgan

Western Suburbs paceman Justin Dixon gave his side the perfect start to game one of the 2024/25 grand final series, claiming two wickets in a maiden first over.

Dixon struck with his fourth ball when Norths opener Gareth Sim was caught by Jack Raffles, before Matthew McGuire fell for a golden duck on the next ball.

Dixon formed a fearsome combination with young gun Ben Ramsbotham as the pair dealt over after over of pain to Norths.

Wests skipper Sam lowry joined the fun with three wickets of his own, including dismissing Lane Kohler for a duck after the all-rounder claimed a five-wicket haul in the semi-final against Suburban Parks.

But with Norths at 7-60 after 28 overs, play was halted for a rain delay which lasted the rest of the afternoon and the match was abandoned.

LANE KOHLER FIVE-FER SENDS NORTHS INTO GRAND FINAL SHOWDOWN

Norths stormed into Townsville’s 1st-grade cricket grand final after stunning Suburban Parks with a lethal bowling attack led by Lane Kohler.

Kohler claimed the first three wickets of the innings in style, dismissing Heath O’Brien for a duck before taking his opening partner Daniel Gartrell’s scalp for just six runs.

Kohler’s next victim, third man in Christopher Perry, fell for just four runs and the writing was on the wall.

Sub Parks batsman Jarrod Green dug in his heels and scored a team-leading 34 before Kohler saw him off with a ball caught by Travis Busch. Kohler finished the match 5-22 from eight overs.

Suburban Parks were 6-82, still in a position to win, but Green’s wicket initiated a collapse that saw the next four wickets fall for just 21 runs.

Townsville A Grade Cricket semi final between Norths and Surburban Parks At Riverway. Norths Lane Kohler. Picture: Evan Morgan

Good contributions from Busch (37 not-out), Matthew McGuire (25) and Adam Camer (20) was enough to see Norths comfortably secure the win.

Suburban Parks Gaurav Patel and Wests Lachlan Ford are set for the Townsville Cricket A Grade finals series at Riverway. Picture: Evan Morgan

PLAYERS SET TO MAKE THEIR MARK

21 March

Townsville’s top cricketers are keeping one eye on the weather as First Grade finals begin at Riverway Stadium on Saturday.

Norths are set to face Suburban Park in a sudden death semi-final with the winner progressing to Sunday’s grand final game one against minor premiers Wests.

The grand final will be played as a three-game series with two fixtures pencilled in for next weekend.

Suburban Parks all-rounder Gaurav Patel said his club entered the season with a clear goal to return to finals after finishing with the wooden spoon last summer.

“We started off the season with a purpose, and we were very motivated to do well as a team. We had the plans in place,” Patel said.

“We wanted to be in a position where we are in the hunt for the tournament, and we’re very happy and thrilled – with the help of our coaching staff, support staff, and the club – everyone’s been together in this journey so far and it’s very, very exciting to be in the position we are in today.”

Suburban Parks Gaurav Patel is set for the Townsville Cricket A Grade finals series at Riverway. Picture: Evan Morgan

If Saturday’s semi-final is washed out or no result can be reached, Sub Parks will progress to the decider as competition runners-up.

Patel said Suburban Parks’ deadly opening batsmen would be key to securing victory.

“We have our explosive opening pair of Daniel Gartrell and Heath O’Brien. We are banking on them to give us a good start,” Patel said.

“They’re followed by Christopher Perry and our captain Christopher Gartrell, with a solid middle order to follow.”

Townsville A Grade cricket game between Suburban Parks and Wanderers at Riverway Stadium. Suburban Parks keeper Heath O'Brien runs out Wanders Dylan Debenham. Picture: Evan Morgan

Whichever team wins on Saturday will have to face the might of a full-strength Wests after an outstanding season.

Wests all-rounder Lachlan Ford said the grand final line-up was shaping as the club’s strongest of the season – a scary thought when you consider they only lost two matches all summer.

Wests Lachlan Ford is set for the Townsville Cricket A Grade finals series at Riverway. Picture: Evan Morgan

“It’s probably our strongest side of the year. Throughout the year, we’ve obviously had people away and whatnot, but I think we’ve probably got our best 11 that have come back for the finals,” Ford said.

“The boys are raring and ready to go.”

Ford suggested veteran bowler Justin Dixon would be pivotal to the Magpies’ chances of success, while a number of players could provide the winning runs.

“He (Dixon) has been around the traps for a fair few years, so I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘Dicko’ turns up this weekend,” Ford said.

“In terms of batting, obviously you’ve got your Sam Lowrys and your T (Tony) Hampsons, but I’m really excited to see how Sean Curnow goes, especially on this wicket, as well as Beau McCarron.

“Young ‘B-Mac’ is a little 17-year-old who has been hitting them really well.”

Finals are scheduled to start at 10am on Saturday and Sunday at Riverway Stadium.

Originally published as Cricket North Queensland grand final game one abandoned due to rain