Cricket Far North grand finals: Players to watch in men’s and women’s deciders

The Cricket Far North season has reached the pointy end, with the best teams to battle it out in their respective grand finals this weekend. Here are the players to watch from the men’s and women’s deciders.

The Cricket Far North season has reached the pointy end, with the best teams to battle it out in their respective grand finals this weekend.

Rovers will take on Mulgrave in the first-grade men’s decider at Griffiths Park on Saturday, before the Cricket Far North Ladies grand final between Mulgrave and Norths on Sunday.

Here are the players to watch from all four teams.

Rovers and Toads seek redemption

Cricket Far North Men’s Grand Final

ROVERS

Cricket Far North Round 13. Rovers v Cassowary Coast at Griffiths Park. Rovers' Brenton Edwards. Picture: Stewart McLean

Brenton Edwards: The skipper loves playing on the big stage and will be looking to take the game on. He was second for runs scored (439) this season with one of the best strike rates in the competition (99.1), and also took 17 wickets.

Cricket Far North. Rovers v Atherton at Griffiths Park. Rovers' Joshua Chadwick. Picture: Stewart McLean

Josh Chadwick: The leg-spinning all-rounder has gone to another level this summer with both the bat and ball and sits in the top three for wickets taken (25) and in the top five for runs scored (282).

Cricket Far North A-Grade 40 over game between Norths and Rovers at Griffiths Park. Rovers' Brodie Deverell. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

Brodie Deverell: The fiery paceman looks to have found a few extra kilometres an hour this summer and has taken 20 wickets at an average of 11.1, including two five-wicket hauls at Griffiths Park.

MULGRAVE

Mulgrave's captain Justin Reid is ready for Cricket Far North first-grade season start this weekend. Picture: Stewart McLean

Justin Reid: Widely considered one of the best bats in the competition, the Mulgrave skipper is known for his calm, measured and classy shot selection. He has scored 410 runs in 12 innings this season at an average of 37.27.

Cricket Far North 2018-19 first-grade 40-over final. Mulgrave v Norths at Griffiths Park. Mulgrave's Jake Roach. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

Jake Roach: The towering all-rounder has been in scintillating form with the ball, taking 21 wickets while sporting the best average (6.86) and economy rate (1.87) in the competition. He can also make an impact with the bat.

Cricket Far North first-grade semi-final between Mulgrave and Atherton at Walker Road Sporting Precinct, Edmonton. Mulgrave's Will Robertson. Picture: Stewart McLean

Will Robertson: The competition’s leading wicket-taker with 30 scalps this season, Robertson has established himself as one of the best leg-spinners in the region. He bowled seven maidens from his 10 overs in last week’s semi-final against Atherton.

Cricket Far North Ladies Grand Final

MULGRAVE

Mulgrave’s Keiryn Lenoy and captain Soraya Houghton. Picture: Stewart McLean

Soraya Houghton: One half of Mulgrave’s opening bowling attack, Houghton has been in top form with the ball this summer. She has taken the most wickets (15), including season-best figures of 4/12 against Norths.

Mulgrave captain Soraya Houghton and Keiryn Lenoy. Picture: Stewart McLean

Keiryn Lenoy: The leading run-scorer has been on a tear this season, scoring 393 runs at an average of 65.5, while boasting a ridiculous strike rate of 179.5. A big score from Lenoy will boost Mulgrave’s chances of victory.

T20 Easter Cricket Cup on at Walker Road. Six-a-side school holiday tournament for boys and girls aged 8-12 years. Amy Byrnes. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

Amy Byrnes: Sporting one of the best economy rates in the competition (3.34), Byrnes will play a key role in the decider. She has taken 11 wickets at an average of 10.82 this season.

NORTHS

Cricket Far North Ladies Twenty20 – Round 7. Norths v Innisfail at Endeavour Park, Manunda. Norths' Paula Fabila. Picture: Stewart McLean

Paula Fabila: The experienced captain will not be afraid to play aggressive cricket and take risks to give her side the best chance of winning.

AFL Cairns Women's Semi Final between Hawks and Souths at Watsons Oval. Playing coach Kareena White giving the orders. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

Kareena White: The Manunda Hawks captain has become a key component of the Norths bowling unit, taking 12 wickets at an average of 8.08 and going for just over three runs an over.

Cairns Cricket. Rovers girls players Payton French, 11 and Olivia Stevens, 12 with their coach Jesleen Patel, 16, in the middle. Picture: Stewart McLean

Jesleen Patel: The Rovers junior, who plays senior cricket for Norths, played herself into form with arguably her best all-round performance of the season last week, scoring 31 runs and taking figures of 1/9 from her four overs, including two maidens.

Originally published as Cricket Far North grand finals: Players to watch in men’s and women’s deciders