BRBB: Hurricanes’ depth to be tested without No.1 draft pick

The Hurricanes have been dealt a massive blow with No.1 Barrier Reef Big Bash draft pick Justin Reid ruled out of this Friday’s season-opener against the Badgers.

The Hurricanes have been dealt a massive blow with No.1 Barrier Reef Big Bash draft pick Justin Reid ruled out of this Friday’s season-opener against the Badgers.

Widely considered the best player in the Cricket Far North competition, Reid is expected to spend the next three weeks on the boundary after he sustained an arm injury in Mulgrave’s victory over Barron River on the weekend.

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Hurricanes skipper Michael Salerno said the injury was a serious disappointment for the franchise just days before the start of the inaugural Barrier Reef Big Bash.

“It’s not the ideal start to our campaign,” he said.

While Reid’s loss will be keenly felt, Salerno said it would also open the door for other players to stake claims early in the season.

North Queensland’s Justin Reid bats in the Queensland Country Championships representative cricket match between North Queensland and South Queensland, held at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s a massive blow for us but it’s also an opportunity for other guys to step up,” he said.

“There’s a bit of talk that we’re only a one-man team, so hopefully we can make a statement that we can play a bit of cricket without Reidy.

“I think we’ve got a bit of depth there to cover him although he’s probably the best player in our team.”

A genuine all-rounder who can bat, bowl and wicketkeep, Reid was the clear top pick at last month’s draft.

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The Mulgrave skipper has averaged 40.70 at a strike rate of 88.7 this summer, scoring 407 runs in his 11 innings to date – one of which featured a blistering 109.

However, replacing the jack-of-all-trades type player could prove a headache for Salerno, with the Hurricanes not only down a top-line batsman, but their first-choice wicketkeeper as well.

But Salerno was confident in the squad he and franchise owner Darren Halpin had assembled.

“We’re very happy with the depth that we’ve got in our batting line up,” he said.

Hurricanes skipper Michael Salerno, No.1 draft pick Justin Reid and franchise owner Darren Halpin at the Barrier Reef Big Bash draft night, held at The Backyard Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’m really excited about Clint Ratatagia, he’s a bit of an unknown force but apparently he hits a big ball and he’s champing at the bit to have a crack at this sort of cricket.

“Anton Booy has played a lot of representative cricket and everyone in the competition knows how much of a long ball he hits, so I’m interested to see how he comes back into the fold after some time away from the game.

“Also, Greg Misener hits a pretty clean ball, and everyone knows the ability that Linden March poses.

“So we’ve got a bit of firepower to play with, it’s just about getting the guys into the right situations at the right times.”

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Action from the Cricket Far North match between the Cairns North and Barron River, held at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Norths Anton Booy fields the ball. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Salerno said who would take the gloves in place of Reid on Friday was yet to be decided.

“Anton Booy’s pretty accomplished behind the stumps, and we’ve also got the option of Tim Ward, although we’ll probably want him in the field and to bowl a few overs,” he said.

Salerno was hopeful Reid would be available for the Hurricanes second match against the Dare Devils on February 19.

“I said to him not to rush it because obviously he’s got finals with Mulgrave coming up and this tournament’s going to go for seven weeks,” he said.

“If he misses our first game and he’s back for our second game, then that’s three weeks. I think it’s just common sense to just have the week off and aim to be back for us in Round 2.”

Originally published as BRBB: Hurricanes’ depth to be tested without No.1 draft pick