Defending Kookaburra Cup cricket champions Burleigh happy to fly under the radar in new season

THEY have been written off after an off-season of upheaval – and that’s more than fine with defending Kookaburra Cup champions Burleigh.

THEY have been written off after an off-season of upheaval – and that’s more than fine with defending Kookaburra Cup champions Burleigh.

Having broken through for their maiden first grade premiership last season, the Bullsharks will enter the new season – beginning on Saturday – without five players from the squad that rode to grand final glory against Helensvale Pacific Pines.

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Gone are captain-coach Simon Belston, wicketkeeper Chris Hall, Jackson Webb and UK imports Alex Breckin and Tom Oxley, with star batsman Rhys McCarthy assuming the coaching reins.

The turnover has prompted many to write them off as a title threat, but McCarthy, who will likely hand the captaincy to TJ Miller, says they are happy to fly under the radar.

“We haven’t really had as strong numbers (this season) as we have before but the talent is still there and we’ve still got youth coming through so it’s not all doom and gloom,” the New Zealand native said.

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Kookaburra Cup players Corey Galloway (Alberton Ormeau), Dan Matheson (Surfers Paradise), Dylan Sherriff (Helensvale Pacific Pines), Lydon Gibbons (Runaway Bay), Oli McGee (Southport Labrador), Rhys McCarthy (Burleigh), Ryan Soars (Coomera Hope Island), Dylan McLaughlin (Mudgeeraba Nerang), Liam Denniston (Broadbeach Robina), Jack Winton (Queens) and Zane Beattie (Palm Beach Currumbin). Picture: Brett Amos

“I think we’re a bit of a dark horse. I’ve got five blokes from last year who are now gone so half the side (other teams) don’t even know.

“Obviously we won it last year, the seconds were the runners-up and third grade were minor premiers as well.”

With Belston taking the player-coaching reins at Southport Labrador, the Tigers and Alberton Ormeau dominated the first grade pre-season Twenty20 competition, winning their four games to set up a grand final showdown at Metricon Stadium on October 13.

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McCarthy, who topped the 2017-18 runscoring tally with 704 at an average of 35 in his first full season, said their rise underlined the need to stay ahead of the game.

“I’ve always got to keep learning too so I can’t let up. I try to do what I do best with how I play and I’m always trying to improve so that’s pushing me a little bit.”

ROUND 1 FIXTURES (TWO-DAY):
■ Surfers Paradise vs. Alberton Ormeau at David Johnston Oval

■ Runaway Bay vs. Mudgeeraba Nerang at Sam Loxton Oval

■ Broadbeach Robina vs. Palm Beach Currumbin at Nerang RSL Oval