Burleigh moving on from ‘draining’ ball tampering saga ahead of crucial cup clash with Palm Beach

BURLEIGH captain TJ Miller admits the ball-tampering drama that has engulfed the club played a part in their last-start thumping from Mudgeeraba Nerang, but says the players’ minds are now refocused on their premiership assault.

BURLEIGH captain TJ Miller admits the ball-tampering drama that has engulfed the club played a part in their last-start thumping from Mudgeeraba Nerang, but says the players’ minds are now refocused on their premiership assault.

Still reeling from the scandal that led to the six-week suspension of one of their stars, the Kookaburra Cup leaders suffered the ignominy of following on against Mudgeeraba last Saturday after capitulating for 87 in pursuit of 256.

It was just the third loss of the season for the Bullsharks (80 points), who will enter today’s penultimate fixture away to Palm Beach Currumbin with second-placed Alberton Ormeau (73 points) snapping at their heels.

ACCUSED BALL TAMPERER BREAKS HIS SILENCE

For Miller, the Round 17 fixture represents a chance to put the ball-tampering scandal behind him.

“I’ve played in this comp for 20 years and I have spent a long time building a reputation. To have my name involved in that (despite) not having anything to do with it, it was a bit mentally draining,” the 27-year-old fast bowler said.

“I have gone through the week or two of having a bit of a down period and it’s been a bit hard to play at times, but I’m at the stage now where I’m happy to laugh it off. What happened is gone.

Burleigh captain TJ Miller. Picture: Richard Gosling

“We had a little meeting this week and we have moved on as a team. We know that we’re going to cop a heap of stick from whoever we come up against but as a club we have to go keep moving forward.

“Missing three or four guys didn’t help (against Mudgeeraba) but the main thing would be all the distractions off the field. It definitely played its part. The minds weren’t there.

“From our point of view, we have got one thing to focus on now and that’s playing cricket.”

‘WE HAVE GOT OTHER THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT’ - BROADBEACH

Burleigh’s dip in form has come amid a game of top-four musical chairs, with Broadbeach Robina (59 points) and Mudgeeraba (53 points) currently occupying the other finals placings.

However, with the Bushmen having a bye this round, Queens (50 points), Southport Labrador (48 points) and Palm Beach Currumbin (47 points) are ready to pounce.

Miller, who remains “touch and go” to bowl against Palm Beach today as he recovers from a side strain, said finding form in their last two fixtures was vital.

“There’s four weeks to go and Palm Beach are going to be playing their hearts out looking to play finals. Then we’ve got Alberton (in the final round) and depending on results, whoever wins that might get the minor premiership.

“So it’s four tough weeks leading into the finals.”

GOLD COAST CRICKET POWER RANKINGS

ROUND 17 FIXTURES:

■ Queens vs Surfers Paradise

■ Alberton Ormeau vs Southport Labrador

■ Runaway Bay vs Helensvale Pacific Pines

■ Coomera Hope Island vs Broadbeach Robina