Better late than never as Atherton all-rounder punishes Norths

An explosive knock from Dan Parnell has helped Atherton book a spot in the Cricket Far North finals.

An explosive knock from Dan Parnell has helped Atherton book a spot in the Cricket Far North finals.

The classy all-rounder was supposed to lead the Thunder out onto Griffiths Park for their first Barrier Reef Big Bash Twenty20 clash against the Dare Devils on Friday night, but the match was called off due to wet weather.

Disappointed he didn’t get the chance to go the tonk on the big stage the night before, Parnell produced a T20-esque innings on Saturday as the Tablelanders claimed an eight-wicket win over Norths to consolidate third spot.

Parnell blasted a more than a run-a-ball 59, including three fours and three sixes.

Dan Parnell bats for Atherton in the Cricket Far North match between Norths and Atherton at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

By the time Norths’ Linden March dismissed Parnell with a brilliant caught and bowled, Atherton needed just four more runs for victory.

“We knew to get the double bonus point we needed to get the runs in half the overs, so Dan Parnell went out there, not necessarily to do that, but just to be positive,” said skipper Tom Boorman.

“We thought if Danny batted for 15-20 overs, we’d probably be pretty close to achieving that, which he did.

“He batted really well. It’s nice to see him get into some form towards the business end of the season.”

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Boorman was the standout with the ball, taking 4-24.

“I’ve been getting a little bit of turn the last couple of weeks, which I’m not used to,” he said.

“The decks have certainly been helping me out I think, rather than me skidding them through straight like a normally do.”

In the round’s other match, Cassowary Coast pulled off an unlikely tie against Mulgrave.

The clash between Barron and Rovers was washed out.

Rovers, Mulgrave and Atherton are guaranteed to play finals, but which team will go straight through to the grand final and which will host the semi-final will be decided in the final round this weekend.

Chris Adams and Dan Parnell partnered for Atherton in the Cricket Far North match between Norths and Atherton at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

Boorman said it was still anyone’s premiership.

“To be honest, I think whichever big players turn up on the day will determine who wins the league, with the likes of Eddy (Rovers’ Brenton Edwards), if he has a day out he can pretty much be the bat and ball, same with Roachy and Reidy (Mulgrave’s Jake Roach and Justin Reid), if they score big runs then they’re obviously difficult to beat, and then same with us with Pauly (Paul Nasser) and Danny, if they turn up and score big and take wickets, we’ll have a good chance as well,” he said.

“I think it will all depend on which of the big players step up around finals.”

Originally published as Better late than never as Atherton all-rounder punishes Norths