Downs dominates Queensland selections

FIVE players and coach selected for South Queensland Country following on from the ‘most complete’ performance by DDSWQ.

BACK-TO-BACK: Darling Downs South West Queensland celebrates its Schaeffer Shield victory.

CRICKET: An unbeaten showing by Darling Downs South West Queensland at the Schaeffer Shield has been rewarded in spades.

Five players have earned selection for South Queensland Country following on from the weekend, along with a coaching selection as well.

Cameron Brimblecombe has been named as skipper of the side that will take on North Queensland Country, with Kris Glass, Sam Neale, Shaun McCarthy and Chris Gillam chosen, along with Kent Reimers, who will coach the side.

It’s a tremendous honour for the six, who were the catalysts behind a strong weekend of play that saw them take out wins over South East Queensland and Gold Coast en route to claiming back-to-back Schaeffer Shields, after previously not having lifted the trophy since 2004.

Reimers said it was a fitting reward for the group, and an indication of the strength of the side.

“We’re very happy to have five chosen, and these guys weren’t even questionable, they were all definite inclusions.

“They all performed on the weekend and didn’t need to rely on past performances.

“Kris outlined his quality with his captaincy and batting, Chris played the perfect role, Shaun has fought his way back from a knee operation, Cam’s reading of the game is second to none, and Sam is doing incredible things for a 17-year-old.”

“It’s very exciting for m personally (to be selected as coach). One thing I always say is I’m extremely lucky to have Kris and Cam as the leadership group, and I’m privileged to be in that position.

“To have Tony and Justin Anderson and team managers, I’m lucky in that I can go in and focus on coaching, knowing everything else is organised.”

After notching 348 against SEQ and bowling out Gold Coast for 189, Reimers said the weekend will go down in Darling Downs folklore.

“It was one of the best batting performances I’ve seen (against SEQ), and our bowling was exceptional against a really strong Gold Coast,” he said.

“It was the most complete Darling Downs performance I’ve seen.

“To watch Sam score 133 as brutally as he did, including hitting two balls over the change rooms, was just something else.

“What made the win one of the most special, was that we beat the Gold Coast in what became a grand final. You love to see your players rising for big games likes this.”

South Queensland Country will take on their northern counterparts in a three-game series in Beenleigh at the end of the month.

This will determine who will make the Queensland Country side to take part in the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Toowoomba in January.

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