Bulletin cricket writer Brent O’Neill picks his Kookaburra Cup Team of the Season as well as a Second XI
With the infamous Australia vs. Australia A battles of 1994-95 firmly in mind, Bulletin cricket writer Brent O’Neill has come up with his Kookaburra Cup Team of the Season and a Second XI he believes could match them.
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THOSE who are old enough would remember the infamous berth of the Australia A concept in 1994-95.
Seeking a fresh challenge in a triangular one-day format in danger of growing stale, the Australian Cricket Board (now Cricket Australia) came up with the novel idea to add the country’s second XI to a tournament featuring Australia, England and Zimbabwe.
The result was interesting to say the least.
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Not only did Australia A – led by emerging stars like Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Damien Martyn - edge out England and Zimbabwe for a spot in the three-game finals series, but their underdog rise secured majority of the crowd support when they went head-to-head with Australia.
Unsurprisingly, the ACB’s unintentional effort to turn the first-choice Australian XI into villains in the eyes of supporters meant the concept was scrapped the following season.
But with that history in mind, I’ve had a bit of fun in coming up with not only a Kookaburra Cup Team of the Season, but also a second-string side that could give them a run for their money.
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For the record, the Team of the Season I chose at the midway point of the campaign in January has six changes, with five of those who missed out making the Second XI.
KOOKABURRA CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON
KEVIN CHAPMAN (MUDGEERABA NERANG)
Making his return to the club after a season with the Gold Coast Dolphins, the veteran made a competition-high 651 runs at 59.18 – including three tons and three half-centuries – to go with 16 valuable wickets at 12.25.
STEVEN BAKER (BROADBEACH ROBINA) (WK)
While commitments with The Southport School again limited his appearances after Christmas, Baker made the most of his 13 games with 513 runs at 73.29.
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SIMON MILLS (ALBERTON ORMEAU)
Third behind Chapman and Baker on the runscoring tally, the Hurricanes first drop ended the season with back-to-back tons to finish with 510 runs at 42.50.
JOSH NELSON (MUDGEERABA NERANG)
Three fifties in 12 innings don’t tell the full story for the former Dolphin, who was a model of consistency en route to 451 runs at 45.10.
NIC PETERSON (SOUTHPORT LABRADOR) (C)
After a slow start to the season that was also disrupted by representative duties, the classy left-hander came home strong to finish with 397 runs at 49.63.
KYLE BROCKLEY (BROADBEACH ROBINA)
While his efforts with the bat fell away after Christmas, the premiership-winning captain still collected 397 runs at 28.36 and 22 wickets at 8.82.
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DHANUSHKA MITIPOLARACHCHI (BROADBEACH ROBINA)
An underrated figure, Mitipolarachchi often produced his best when it mattered most, making 235 runs at 26.11 and taking 25 wickets at 10.84.
REECE MCDONALD (BROADBEACH ROBINA)
Arguably the first player picked in this side, McDonald ran riot with 37 scalps at 9.19 in 14 games, and also chipped in with 129 lower-order runs.
BRAD MUNRO (MUDGEERABA NERANG)
Munro earns the spinner’s role after bagging 26 wickets at 10.77.
MICHAEL DURBRIDGE (QUEENS)
Lured out of retirement as player-coach, Durbridge showed he has lost none of his skill with 27 wickets at 11.07.
BLAKE CHAPMAN (QUEENS)
A shining light for the Centaurs, Chapman came of age this season and was the only man to better McDonald, taking 38 wickets at 11.18.
KOOKABURRA CUP SECOND XI
JASPER SCHOENMAKER (BURLEIGH)
There were few bright spots for the Bullsharks in 2019-20 but the skipper stood tall en route to 411 top-order runs at 34.25.
NATHAN REARDON (SURFERS PARADISE)
A member of my Team of the Season at the halfway mark, a lack of game time after Christmas bumped him out of the side but he still finished with 388 runs at 48.50 – highlighted by 163 against Burleigh.
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CLAYE BEAMS (SURFERS PARADISE) (C) (WK)
Beams was the backbone of the Demons’ revival this season, making 439 runs at 33.77 to complement handy glovework.
RHYS HOWARTH (RUNAWAY BAY)
One of only three players to register multiple centuries, Howarth held the Seagulls batting line up together with 464 runs at 30.93.
KALEB DAY (HELENSVALE PACIFIC PINES)
Day was the standout in the Hawks’ resurgence this season, racking up 427 runs at 35.58.
RYAN KETTLE (PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN)
While the 39-year-old’s form dipped after Christmas, he showed he can still match it with anyone on his day, with his blistering 148 against Burleigh the highlight amid 428 runs at 28.53 and 17 wickets at 21.
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HARRY LICKISS (HELENSVALE PACIFIC PINES)
Lickiss emerged as one of the competition’s brightest young all-rounders this season, picking up 26 wickets at 21.46 to go with 247 runs at 22.45.
MATT MADELEY (RUNAWAY BAY)
An unlucky omission from the Team of the Season, Madeley can be content with a campaign that yielded 29 wickets at 18.48 and 152 runs at 15.20.
WAYNE PHILLIPS (SURFERS PARADISE)
While Phillips and Southport Labrador’s Devon Hamley both collected 23 wickets (at 14.35 and 12.57 respectively), the Demons veteran got the nod with his extra batting ability.
OLI MCGEE (SOUTHPORT LABRADOR)
The Tigers tweaker secures the spinning role on the back of 25 wickets at 13.64.
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LACHLAN O’KEEFE (BURLEIGH)
After spending time in and out of first grade since 2016-17, O’Keefe made his mark this season to collect 26 wickets at 11.27.
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