WE set our panel of experts an almighty task: find Gold Coast cricket’s best local side from 1980-2020.
Using the criteria of having played a minimum of 50 games in the local competition, the experts broke the process down into two: the best side from 1980-2000, and the best from 2000-2020.
After naming the best early side, today we look at the best from 2000-2020.
*The final combined team will be revealed exclusively online from July 13
BEST SIDE - 2000-2020
1. Andrew Robinson
Queens and Coomera: A gifted left-hand opening batsman who is a two-time winner of Gold Coast’s Player of the Year Award. Robinson also played 12 games for Queensland and was a prolific run scorer for the Gold Coast Dolphins.
2020: The day Robbo blasted a record
2. Kevin Chapman
Mudgeeraba: Chapman won the 2009-10 Cricket Gold Coast first grade competition with Mudgeeraba Nerang & Districts’. Chapman was also named in the Bulletin’s Kookaburra Cup 2019-20 Team of the Season after 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.
2019: Chapman’s bold career switch
3. Nic Peterson
Southport: Cricket Gold Coast player of the year in 2017-18 and boasts the best average (40.70) of any player in the competition on MyCricket with over 50 matches.
2018: How Nic is raising the bar higher
4. Craig Mitchell
Alberton: A former Gold Coast player of the year who also played 13 games for Queensland Country. Has amassed 5060 runs at an average of 36.66.
5. Sean Fitzsimmons
Broadbeach Robina: A right-handed batsman who has boasted enormous longevity. Fitzsimmons has also played more than 13 games for Queensland at the Australian Country Championships.
6. Reece McDonald
Southport and Broadbeach: A workhorse who can destroy sides with both bat and ball. McDonald won the Kookaburra Cup with Broadbeach in 2018-19.
2016: The day Reece took career-best figures
7. Steve Baker
Broadbeach: Baker was the Gold Coast player of the year in 2019-20 and is a former Schaefer Shield captain. He represented Queensland Country and recorded 2656 runs at an average of 35.41 in first grade. The wicket-keeper has taken 102 catches and recorded 12 stumpings.
2019: Baker reveals plans for TSS
8. Chris Swan
Surfers Paradise: A former Queensland quick who has been among the best in the Cricket Gold Coast first grade competition in recent memory. Swan also coaches the Gold Coast Dolphins.
2020: Swan’s Test scalps and ‘day on the p***’
9. Michael Durbridge:
Queens: An elite right arm paceman who can swing it both ways.
2020: How Durbridge has continued to produce the goods
10. Paul Johnston
Southport: Johnston made Southport-Labrador perennial contenders with his searing pace. He was a tower of strength in the Tigers attack for over 10 seasons.
11. Troy Newton
Palm Beach: Cricket Gold Coast’s all time leading wicket taker in first grade, with Newton claiming 643 scalps.
12th man – Wayne Phillips
Mudgeeraba, Surfers Paradise and Burleigh: A leg-spinner who has played over 300 games. Born and bred on the Gold Coast, Phillips has been around the scene for years.
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