Coomera’s Phil Tunnicliffe replaces injured Broadbeach’s Kyle Brockley in Gold Coast Thunder squad

THE Gold Coast Thunder have been forced into a change for next month’s Bulls Masters Country Challenge, while Broadbeach Robina have confirmed the return of a Kookaburra Cup star.

INJURY has forced Kyle Brockley out of the Gold Coast Thunder squad for next month’s Bulls Masters Country Challenge, with the Broadbeach Robina all-rounder replaced by Coomera Hope Island counterpart Phil Tunnicliffe.

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Brockley was the sole Broadbeach player last week named in a 12-man Thunder squad for the October 4-6 Twenty20 tournament, but shin splints will keep him out of the trip to Bundaberg.

His replacement is more than handy however, with New Zealand native Tunnicliffe crowned the Sam Loxton Medal winner as the Kookaburra Cup’s player of the season in 2018-19.

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He amassed a competition-high 742 runs at an average of 43.65 for the Crocs last season and also took 28 wickets at 14.36.

While disappointed to lose Brockley from the squad, Thunder coach Simon Belston said the class of Tunnicliffe, who will arrive back in Australia in the coming days, was unquestioned.

Coomera Hope Island all-rounder Phil Tunnicliffe. Picture: Mike Batterham

“That’s a massive boost for us because Phil Tunnicliffe won the Sam Loxton award last season,” the Southport Labrador player-coach said.

Broadbeach have also confirmed the return of Tom Scriven for this season’s Kookaburra Cup, which begins with three fixtures on October 5.

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Contracted to English County outfit Hampshire, the 20-year-old all-rounder was the star of last season’s finals.

He hit 50 and took 6-37 in the Cats’ semi-final win over Burleigh, before snaring 7-43 and posting 32 against Alberton Ormeau in the grand final to steer his side to the premiership.

Returning Broadbeach Robina star Tom Scriven. Picture: Mike Batterham

GOLD COAST THUNDER SQUAD

Nic Peterson (c) (Southport Labrador)

Wade Kilborn (Southport Labrador)

Josh Reid (Southport Labrador)

Shane Connors (vc) (Alberton Ormeau)

Matthew Yiend (wk) (Alberton Ormeau)

Corey Galloway (Alberton Ormeau)

Josh Nelson (Mudgeeraba Nerang)

Connor Brown (Mudgeeraba Nerang)

Bradley Munro (Mudgeeraba Nerang)

Kevin Chapman (Mudgeeraba Nerang)

Phil Tunnicliffe (Coomera Hope Island)

Sam Winton (Queens)