Revealed: Barrier Reef Big Bash Draft Tracker: Steals, X factor duos and full sides

The stage is set for the return of the Barrier Reef Big Bash for another explosive season and we take a look at the freshly assembled sides for 2024. The steals, sliders, potential X factor partnerships and full sides revealed.

Kael Newcombe in the first Barrier Reef Big Bash T20 cricket match of the 2023 season, held between the Halpins Hurricanes and the Designer Homes Dare Devils at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

The stage is set for the return of the Barrier Reef Big Bash for another explosive season and we take a look at the freshly assembled sides for 2024. The steals, sliders, potential X factor partnerships, while the full sides are revealed online.

With the draft conducted over the weekend, captains Angus Warnock (Cyclones), Jake Roach (Badgers), Justin Reid (Hurricanes) and Matthew Wilkins (Thunder) had the opportunity to build their 14-player dream teams one by one from an over 90-strong player pool.

Strongest 14

All four teams have tremendous amount of talent, but the snap judgement suggests Angus Warnock’s Cyclones side will be the strong contenders for silverware.

Warnock opted for big bashers Brenton Edwards, Aidan Firman and Adam Trewin with his first three selections. In particular, Barron River’s Trewin is a steal at pick 12 after averaging 51.71 with the fourth-most boundaries in the Cricket Far North competition last season.

Warnock then later recruited his brother Mitch Warnock and gun pace bowlers Henry King and Charlie Howard.

X factor Partnerships

Thunder captain Matthew Wilkin’s built his side around strong rising stars of the Far North. The 18-year old selected all-rounders Seth McGinty and Kobi Johnston with two of his first three picks before picking up talented paceman Angus Vikionkorpi, a steal at pick 37, and Rovers Dayne Margiotta later in the draft.

Badgers captain Jake Roach has successfully assembled himself, Andrew Phelps, and Dan Freebody into what promises to be a frightening top order, while selecting Norths spin kings Mark Ellis and Ben McCartney.

Hurricanes captain Justin Reid built a dynamic side of all-rounders, selecting CFN player of the season Marcus Berryman with the first pick, before picking up Wade Matthews, Vicky Lefty, Rhys Camilleri and Thomas King.

Sliders and Steals

Kael Newcombe was selected at pick 43 by the Hurricanes, having a top quality young wicketkeeper like Newcombe could be pivotal in tight games.

Experienced spinner William Robertson fell to pick 45 with Wilkin’s happy to select his Mulgrave teammate late.

Thunder also picked up Atherton’s Greg Misener at pick 47, who snatched the second most wickets in the CFN last season at a strong economy rate.

The competition, now in it’s fourth instalment, will officially return in September this year with a new side set to embark on their debut campaign.

The Cyclones will officially enter the competition for 2024, replacing the Dare Devils, against returning franchises the Halpin Hurricanes, Twomey Schriber Thunder and Piccones Badgers.

Six matches will take place Friday and Saturday evenings across three consecutive weekends beginning on Friday, September 13. The competition will take a weekends break for the Bulls Masters Country Challenge from October 5-7, before the top two sides of the ladder will then play out for silverware on October 12.

Originally published as Revealed: Barrier Reef Big Bash Draft Tracker: Steals, X factor duos and full sides