Quirky reason coronavirus could help Gold Coast cricket side Broadbeach Robina

CORONAVIRUS could help provide the most unlikely revitalisation of a Gold Coast cricket side.

CORONAVIRUS could help provide the most unlikely revitalisation of Broadbeach’s Kookaburra Cup season.

The Cats (180 and 1-28) on Saturday secured the minor premiership with a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Palm Beach Currumbin (49 and 158) in the final round at Salk Oval.

Yet it’s the deadly global pandemic which ironically helped put a spring back into the step of Broadbeach, who had been “flat” in recent weeks, including a previous-round pummeling at the hands of Mudgeeraba Nerang.

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“We knew we were making finals and a few boys starting going through the motions,” Broadbeach Robina captain Kyle Brockley said.

Brock Ley bowling at Salk Oval. Picture Troy Jegers

“We played some horrible cricket against Mudgeeraba and had to have some pretty hard conversations with some of the players.

“(On Saturday) we realigned our goals and got back to enjoying the game.”

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How? Coronavirus, of course. Suggestions of eliminating celebratory wicket handshakes to temper the spread instead became the unusual source of bonding.

“There were quite a few coronavirus jokes being made in the field,” Brockley said.

“A few guys were coming up with suggestions for ankle touches and elbow touches (instead of handshakes), which was quite funny to watch. That helped us get back and it was all about having fun with your mates.

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Sam Jarrett batting at Salk Oval. Picture Troy Jegers

“We play a game and that (the jokes) just showed that camaraderie and fun is back.”

Surfers Paradise, who travel to Broadbeach Robina on the opening finals weekend, had now better be on guard for the Cats.

“We’re pretty confident,” Brockley said.

“It looks like they won’t have (Aussie over-35s player and former T20 international) Nathan Reardon which is a shame.

“It’s not every day you get to play against former first class players so the guys really get up for that and know how big of a wicket he is.

“There is a lot of mutual respect from both sides and they have some great players.”

In the other weekend fixtures Coomera Hope Island (7-182) ran down Burleigh (1800, Runaway Bay (104 and 5-52) beat Queens (87 and 7-137), Mudgeeraba Nerang (8-175) hammered Surfers Paradise (42 and 101) and Southport Labrador (7-301) crushed Alberton Ormeau (9-113).

Mudgeeraba will host Southport Labrador in the second semi-final next weeked.