T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash: Roach, Reid, Nasser go bang
The lusty power-hitting and sublime shot selection in the T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash proves just how good the talent in Cricket Far North competitions truly is.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SOMETIMES, Piccones Badgers coach Wade Frazer says, you just have to stand and applaud.
With the Badgers struggling at 4-57 midway through their chase of Halpin Hurricanes’ 145 in the T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash, Jake Roach had a simple decision: fold, or go big and try to win.
REPLAYS: RELIVE BARRIER REEF BIG BASH’S BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND
What ensued was one of the knocks that typifies what the Barrier Reef Big Bash is all about. The lusty power-hitting and sublime shot selection which proves just how good the talent in Cricket Far North competitions truly is.
Roach hit eight boundaries and cleared the rope four times in his unbeaten 75 from just 34 balls, as he steered Badgers to remarkable win from nowhere.
“It wasn’t like he came out and swung, it was really high class batting, and he just bludgeoned it with some supreme cricket shots,” Frazer said. “We’re really happy for him. He was due for a big one.”
99 NOT OUT: NASSER REFLECTS ON MASSIVE KNOCK
Brendan Nasser says he used his “instinct” to produce a matchwinning knock and lead the Halpin Hurricanes to a nailbiting win over Twomey Schriber Thunder.
The Atherton tonker smashed 10 fours and four sixes on his way to 99 not out from 76 balls and showed great poise to hit a maximum on the last ball to secure the victory at Griffiths Park on Saturday night.
REPLAYS: RELIVE BARRIER REEF BIG BASH’S BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND
Justin Reid (12), Michael Salerno (12) and Anton Booy (eight not out) did the rest as the Hurricanes successfully chased down Thunder’s 8-135.
Coming to the crease with the Hurricanes at 1-13 in the third over, Nasser was patient as he picked his shots, while Salerno rotated the strike.
After 16 overs, the Hurricanes were 2/93 and still needed 43 runs off 24 balls for victory. Sensing it was now or never, they called for the powerplay and Nasser went to work.
The experienced batsman blasted seven fours in the last four overs, before hitting a six on the last ball to bring up the winning runs.
REPLAYS: RELIVE BARRIER REEF BIG BASH’S BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND
“I was a bit scratchy early on, sort of edging and nicking around, but you’ve got to use your luck sometimes and a few hit the middle,” he said.
Nasser was dropped on 33 when Thunder skipper Dan Parnell put down a hard chance off his own bowling but regained his composure to finish the match unbeaten in an 82-minute stand.
MORE NEWS:
The Harrovian gives All-Star Mile rivals a scare
Hurricanes not hitting panic button despite poor starts
Six unsung players ready to step up in Thunder-Badgers clash
Meet the Northern Pride’s U16 and U18 captains
“I was a bit gassed at the end and sort of just used instinct to get us home,” he said.
“The Thunder bowled well at the death, they were bowling full and straight so they were pretty hard to get away but I knew I had to go for it when we took the powerplay.
“From there, in your mind, it’s just go for everything, so it’s a bit easier at that stage to put bat on ball if you only have one option.
“We probably left it a bit late at the end but got lucky to get home. It was pretty thrilling for the crowd I hope.”
Nasser also faced his younger brother Paul for the first time in a competitive match.
“He bowled well, he had me squared up a few times but out of a bit of desperation I hit one over his head, but it was purely out of desperation,” Nasser said.
Hurricanes skipper Salerno praised Nasser’s maturity at the crease.
REPLAYS: RELIVE BARRIER REEF BIG BASH’S BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND
“We’ve always known he’s got that in him,” he said.
“He’s such a class player, he’s one of those stylish left-handers and for it to come together against his brother — there was a lot of talk during the week who’s got the better Nasser, and it seems like the Hurricanes are one-up this weekend, but I’m sure Pauly will be back next week.”
Salerno said it was good to see the brothers and his Atherton teammates go up against each other.
“There was a bit of chirp out there,” he said.
“Brendan got him away for a six and big brother said a few words and little brother said something back.”
REPLAYS: RELIVE BARRIER REEF BIG BASH’S BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND
The Thunder was cruising at 1-61 after a strong start from openers Dan Parnell (19) and Darren Lees (26) but it all went pear-shaped when it lost four wickets for nine runs in the space of 12 deliveries.
Some lusty hitting from Ben Shrimpton (35 off 22 balls) and Wade Matthews (22 off 18) helped propel the Thunder to 8-135 after 20 overs.
Tim Ward (3-22) was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers, while Thunder off-spinner Sean Prior took a tidy 0-14 from his four overs.
Salerno said the win, the Hurricanes’ first of the tournament, was an important one.
Originally published as T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash: Roach, Reid, Nasser go bang
‘Annastacia Palaszczuk saw the writing on the wall’
Voters have come out swinging for Labor after an exit poll showed the LNP is set to romp home in the Queensland election.
‘See ya’, ‘not before time’: Readers fire up over exit poll bombshell
Readers have come out swinging at individuals as they celebrate a Courier-Mail exit poll that shows the LNP is set to romp home in the Queensland election, but many others are warning it may not be a done deal just yet.