Finn Churchward hits form in time for T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash

FINN Churchward will swap roles from one of Brenton Edwards’ best young weapons to become a thorn in the all-rounder's side when the T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash returns to Griffiths Park on Friday.

FINN Churchward will swap roles from one of Brenton Edwards’ best young weapons to become a thorn in the all-rounder's side when the T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash returns to Griffiths Park on Friday.

Churchward is one of the most exciting young cricketers in the region, and on Saturday proved that status again with a matchwinning 72 from 89 balls for club side, Rovers.

Rovers' Finn Churchward. Picture: Stewart McLean

He played a patient, positive innings which featured one boundary and a six, and shared in a crucial 57-run partnership with Rovers captain Edwards as the Green Machine posted a high-enough total to keep Cassowary Coast at bay.

But when they step into the centre of Griffiths Park under the ground’s new lights, which were part of a $2.27 million upgrade of the home of Cairns Cricket Association, they won’t be working together.

MORE CRICKET NEWS

Thunder’s Atherton tonkers to lead from the front

Watch the replay: Badgers v Hurricanes in the first T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash

Teenage legspinner turns heads in Badgers’ Big Bash win

Mulgrave spearhead says team’s youth brigade is firing

Rovers wobble but stay on top in Cricket Far North

Edwards is the captain of the Designer First Homes Dare Devils, who will face the Twomey Schriber Thunder - who drafted Churchward - in the second game of the season.

And Edwards knows how important Churchward may be to the Thunder’s success.

“I heard he wouldn’t get a start or bat, but he’s the sort of bloke you’d push up the order to get things going,” Edwards said after Rovers’ win.

“He played a really good innings, we put on about 60 together at a run a ball. He batted at a good tempo.

“But who knows what they’ll do.”

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

Churchward has had a solid season for Rovers in the 40 and 50 over competition.

He ranks seventh on the runscorers’ list with 245 runs (30.63), and his effort last weekend was the first time he hit a half-century this season.

Where Churchward slots into the batting order will be one of the key decisions for Thunder captain Dan Parnell and coach Steve Kerwitz, as they aim to open their Big Bash account with a win.

And there will be plenty of tough calls across both teams, who are blessed with some of the finest shot-makers and bowlers in FNQ.

Parnell is no slouch, having shown for years he can be a danger with either the bat or the ball in hand.

The Thunder drafted Atherton gun Paul Nasser with their first selection, who has long been one of the best bats in Far North Queensland.

Nasser has scored more runs than any other player in the CFN’s 50 over competition, smashing 492 runs at 49.2 - with a high score of 139 not out and a slick strike rate.

Edwards is the next best with 430 runs (43), and has four half centuries to his name.

According to My Cricket, Edwards is the only batsman in the top 40 runscorers to score at more than a run a ball - a key stat for the shortest format of the game played in FNQ.

The battle with the ball will be unmissable with three of first grade’s top five wicket-takers facing off.

Dare Devils’ Joshua Chadwick has 25 wickets for Rovers to sit second on the list, and is just one ahead of Parnell’s 24 scalps. Nasser is fifth with 21.

Members of both teams were among the massive crowd at Griffiths Park for the competition opener last Friday night, in which Badgers comfortably beat the Hurricanes.

Follow @MMcInerney89

Originally published as Finn Churchward hits form in time for T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash