Broadbeach Robina’s Tom Scriven relishing responsibility in grand final against Alberton Ormeau

SEMI-final destroyer Tom Scriven is embracing his role as Broadbeach Robina’s go-to man as he fights to farewell the Gold Coast with a Kookaburra Cup premiership.

SEMI-final destroyer Tom Scriven is embracing his role as Broadbeach Robina’s go-to man as he fights to farewell the Gold Coast with a Kookaburra Cup premiership.

Contracted to English County outfit Hampshire, the 20-year-old all-rounder has been a revelation in his first season abroad, collecting 34 wickets at 16.88 to go with 425 runs at 35.42.

He almost single-handedly carried the Cats into the grand final with a knock of 50 and figures of 6-37 in last weekend’s 56-run defeat of Burleigh, with Alberton Ormeau now the only thing standing in the way of the club’s first premiership since 2012-13.

THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND GRAND FINALISTS’ CUP CHARGE

Scriven will take part in the premiership decider at Robina on Saturday and Sunday before returning to England on Wednesday, and has vowed to maintain the rage against the Hurricanes.

Broadbeach all-rounder Tom Scriven en route to 6-37 against Burleigh last weekend. Picture: Mike Batterham

“I love impacting the game as much as possible, whether that’s bowling, batting or fielding. I’m lucky enough that if I don’t have a good day with the bat I can hopefully go well with the ball and vice versa,” Scriven, who made his debut for Hampshire’s first XI in last season’s T20 Blast, said.

“It’s always nice to contribute to any game like (the semi final). I was just happy with the fact we won and got to the grand final.

CANES CONFIDENT OF COMPLETING RAGS-TO-RICHES TALE

“I could’ve taken no wickets and got no runs but as long as we’re there I’d be happy. It always feels better when you win and have a game like that so obviously I’m in a good place for the grand final.

“I think the whole team is, which is really good. We see ourselves as the underdogs and I think that can play to our advantage.

“We’re just really excited to be in a grand final. We haven’t been there in so long and it’s just for me, personally a good experience, and I think the team will go well.”

Scriven also made 50 with the bat. Picture: Steve Holland

Victory over Burleigh ended a run of five-straight semi final losses for the Cats, with captain Sean Fitzsimmons and Joel Kennan the only remaining members from the side that beat Mudgeeraba in 2013-13 to seal back-to-back flags.

Scriven said despite his relatively recent introduction to the club, the importance of capitalising on the grand final opportunity was not lost on him.

DOLPHINS’ COACHING RACE INTENSIFIES

“When it’s your first season and you come in and go into a grand final, you don’t realise how rare these things can be,” he said.

“You can tell that the other players are really up for it and they’ve shown me how important it is, which I think has made me see it as closely as I can. I think it’s quite nice that the whole club’s got that same feeling towards it.”

Play begins at Bill Pippen Oval.at 10am on both days.