Coomera Hope Island batsman Rish Raheel wins T20 opener with back-to-back sixes

ALBERTON Ormeau and Runaway Bay have staked an early claim for Cricket Gold Coast’s T20 crown but it was Coomera’s Rish Raheel who provided the major talking point on Saturday.

ALBERTON Ormeau and Runaway Bay have staked an early claim for Cricket Gold Coast’s Twenty20 crown but it was the performance of Coomera Hope Island’s Rish Raheel that proved the major talking point on Saturday.

While Alberton and the Seagulls sounded an early title call with two wins from as many games, batting all-rounder Raheel (24 not out off 10) stole the spotlight in the Crocodile’s first-up victory over Broadbeach Robina.

Chasing the Cats’ 3-161 in a game reduced to 16 overs a side, Raheel smashed two sixes from the last two balls to haul his side to a winning total of 8-162.

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“I went in when they had about 35 (runs) to go and worked my way from there. I have been playing cricket for eight or nine years and this is probably one of my best (experiences) and will stay the best for a while,” Dubai-raised Raheel, in his third season with the Crocodiles, said.

“I love the game of cricket so I was feeling great. I think the most important thing was just keeping myself calm and not putting any pressure on me. That’s what I did. Play wherever the ball comes and hit it.

“For the club, it’s a really great achievement. It was a good start to the season with a win. We’re going to build from there and go ahead.”

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The 32-year-old was in line for another shot at glory in Coomera’s second game against Southport Labrador, but bad light brought play to a premature end before the final over.

“I was batting (on six not out) and had that some sort of feeling. Bad light played a role and luck wasn’t on our side.

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“That was the intention (to do it again) but you don’t get everything.”

Burleigh’s Rhys McCarthy produced the highest score of the weekend with 63 in the Bullsharks’ loss to Runaway Bay, while Broadbeach’s Ky Newitt finished the weekend with five wickets.

ROUND 1 RESULTS:

■ Helensvale 6-84 def. by Runaway Bay 3-85

■ Alberton 5-141 def. Surfers 64

■ Burleigh drew Palm Beach

■ Broadbeach 3-161 def. by Coomera 8-162

■ Broadbeach 7-119 def. Queens 9-107

■ Alberton 71 def. Mudgee 60

■ Burleigh 5-133 def. by Runaway Bay 1-49

■ Southport 6-122 def. Coomera 6-61