BRBB: Thunder’s Atherton tonkers to lead from the front

Twomey Schriber Thunder coach Steve Kerwitz is expecting a pair of Atherton tonkers to play a key role in Friday night’s Barrier Reef Big Bash clash against the Dare Devils.

Twomey Schriber Thunder coach Steve Kerwitz is expecting Atherton tonkers Dan Parnell and Paul Nasser to play a key role in Friday night’s Barrier Reef Big Bash clash against the Designer First Homes Dare Devils.

Nasser is the leading run-scorer in the Cricket Far North competition, having scored 492 runs at an average of 49.2 and a strike rate of 86.9, while Thunder skipper Parnell has scored 187 runs at an average of 20.78 and a strike rate of 62.3.

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“Dan’s very experienced and he’s a very aggressive batsman so he’ll be going hard at the top of the order,” Kerwitz said.

“Then of course Paul Nasser, we’re going to bat around him. He’s one of the best bats in Cairns at the moment.”

Cricket Far North – Round 8. Barron River v Atherton at Crathern Park, Trinity Beach. Atherton's Dan Parnell. Picture: Stewart McLean

Kerwitz said the Thunder were “quietly confident” heading into the match, but were wary of Dare Devil’s all-rounder and Parnell and Nasser’s Atherton teammate, Tom Boorman, who took 4-8 from his 10 overs against Barron on the weekend.

“He’s just one of those guys where we’ll have to try and put him off his game and get on top of him early,” he said.

“Hopefully whoever’s batting can get into him and put him on the back foot, but he’s a very quality spinner.

“He doesn’t give you too much, so we’ll have to create something to put the pressure on him, even if it’s just pushing ones and twos.”

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Atherton's Paul Nasser bats in the Cricket Far North match between the North Cairns and Atherton, held at Griffiths Park, Manunda. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Cricket Far North 40-over grand final. Atherton v Rovers in Atherton. Atherton skipper Tom Boorman is fired up after a wicket. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

The spinners reigned supreme in the first Barrier Reef Big Bash match last Friday night, and Kerwitz was expecting more of the same this week.

“A good spinner will clean up,” he said.

“A lot of people can’t play it that well and when you’re forced to go hard, it brings the spinners into the game.

“Not too many of the guys have played high quality Big Bash-type cricket, the rep players have a bit, but we’re still learning to play the game perfectly.”

Originally published as BRBB: Thunder’s Atherton tonkers to lead from the front