2021 Kookaburra Cup T20 Team of the tournament

With the pool games completed in the Kookaburra T20 competition, the Gold Coast Bulletin crunches the numbers to select the team of the tournament.

Shane Connors Picture: Lawrence Pinder

With the pool games completed in the Kookaburra T20 competition, the Gold Coast Bulletin crunches the numbers to select the team of the tournament.

1. Shane Connors, Alberton

249 runs at 49.8, 2 catches, one run out

Shane Connors. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

At the top of the order, Connors blasted attacks from the outset scoring the second-most runs in the tournament. He led all batsmen in boundaries with 45 in just five innings and had a remarkable strike rate of 165.

2. Benji Lee, Coomera Hope Island

219 runs at 54.8, 5 wickets at 15.2

Benji Lee. Photo by Richard Gosling

For an inexperienced Coomera side, Lee stood tall, being the only batsman to pass fifty on three occasions. On the second weekend of the tournament, Lee had a great day scoring 67 in the morning and belting 81 in the afternoon against Alberton. Lee also chipped in with five wickets at an economical 6.33 runs an over.

3. Harish Kumar, Alberton

253 runs at 84.3, 2 wickets at 27.5, 2 catches

Before the tournament started, Alberton president Matthew Yiend said,

“Harish is a player personally I wanted to get across for a long time”

The wait couldn’t have been more worth it as Kumar dominated with the bat with 253 runs at 84.3, including an unbeaten century against Bonogin.

4. Dayne Siede, Mudgeeraba

198 runs at 49.5, 3 wickets at 27, 1 catch

Mudgeeraba Nerang batsman Dayne Siede. Picture: KPM Sports Images

A known quantity in the T20 format, Siede was extremely consistent in this year’s tournament, passing 25 every time he walked out to bat. The burly Bushman also proved handy with the ball taking three wickets at 27 at an economical 5.06 runs an over.

5. Ryan Kettle, Palm Beach

169 runs at 84.5, 6 wickets 9.17, 1 catch

kookaburra Cup Cricket match between PBC and Mudgeeraba Nerang played at Currumbin. PBC Fielding Mudgeeraba? Nerang Bating. Mudgeeraba Batsman Josh Nelson. PBC bowler Ryan Kettle. Pic Mike Batterham

Kettle helped Palm Beach to their best tournament finish winning all five of their pool matches. The long time Palm Beach all-rounder did it with bat and ball, being the only player to finish top six in batting and bowling aggregates. Palm Beach go into the finals as the team to beat and look an intimidating fixture for the upcoming season.

6. Udith Fernando, Bonogin

126 runs at 42, 4 wickets at 4.5, 3 catches

Fernando possibly had the best individual game of anyone in the tournament, scoring 35, taking 4 for 18, and grabbing three catches in his side’s win over Queens. He led his Bonogin side, who played third-grade last year, to two wins against first-grade competition.

7. Jack Lickiss, Helensvale

118 runs at 39.3, 3 catches, 5 stumpings, 1 run out

Three brothers from Helensvale Pacific Pines Cricket Club Jack Lickiss, 23. Picture: Jerad Williams

Longtime keeper Jack Lickiss again proved vital to his beloved Helensvale Hawks as he led them in runs while also taking three catches and an astonishing five stumpings. The keeper’s best moment came in his sides opener when he scored an unbeaten 47 to guide his team to a last over victory.

8. Corey Galloway, Alberton

7 wickets at 10.29, 48 runs at 12, 1 catch

Ever consistent, Alberton captain Corey Galloway once against provided the goods taking seven wickets at an extremely economical 4.8 runs an over. He also chipped in with 48 runs.

9. Jai Kurt, Mudgeeraba

8 wickets at 11.25, 23 runs at 11.5, 1 catch

Jai Kurt. Pic Tim Marsden

Going into the tournament as the most prolific wicket-taker in the competition’s history, Kurt once again provided the goods coming third in aggregate wickets. Kurt was instrumental against Southport Labrador in round 2, rolling through their middle order taking 4/21, helping his side successfully defended 119.

10. Jack Baird, Helensvale

14 wickets at 6.86, 33 runs at 8.25, 7 catches

Helensvale's Jack Baird in action. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Helensvale offspinner proved unplayable throughout the tournament, taking at least three wickets in four of the five games. Baird has an out of this world bowling average of 6.86 and economy rate of 5.01. On top of his bowling efforts Baird along with his teammate Kaleb Day led the tournament in catches with seven apiece.

11. Chandima Bandara, Helensvale

9 wickets at 4.11, 2 run outs

Combined with Baird, Bandara formed a ruthless spin attack which helped the Hawks secure the top spot on the ladder. In 17.5 overs, Bandara conceded an insanely low 37 runs while taking nine wickets. His economy rate of 2.07, helped by four maidens, was the best in the tournament by far.