Barrier Reef Big Bash: Cairns Post’s Team of the Tournament
There were plenty of fine candidates but in the end we could pick only 12 in the Cairns Post’s Barrier Reef Big Bash Team of the Tournament. SEE WHO MADE THE TEAM >>
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The inaugural T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash has been an exhibition for great Far North cricket all around.
Record-setting batsmen and bowlers headlined a star-packed line-up, while some of the best young talents in Far North Queensland proved their potential.
There were plenty of fine candidates but in the end we could pick only 12 in the Cairns Post’s Barrier Reef Big Bash Team of the Tournament.
Tell us your best XI at sport@cairnspost.com.au.
MORE BARRIER REEF BIG BASH NEWS:
Barrier Reef Big Bash building to a belter after first tournament
Why Healy is fond of Cairns’ Big Bash cricket tournament
REPLAY: Badgers claim inaugural Barrier Reef Big Bash title
Badgers prove point in GF triumph, ‘deserved’ smokey takes top honour
1. Chris Adams (Badgers)
M: 8 | Runs: 166 | SR: 122.10 | Ave: 27.67 | HS: 42
After a slightly disappointing Cricket Far North campaign, the Atherton opener bounced back in a big way. Adams was instrumental in the Badgers’ fast starts, scoring 166 runs at an average of 27.67 and a strike rate of 122.10.
He hit the third-most fours (20) in the tournament and made more than 20 runs in each of his six innings.
2. Justin Reid (Hurricanes)
M: 8 | Runs: 227 | SR: 148.40 | Ave: 32.43 | HS: 99
The Mulgrave skipper has enjoyed a super consistent summer with the willow and it was more of the same.
Reid proved why he was selected with the No.1 draft pick, amassing 227 runs at an average of 32.43 and a strike rate of 148.4.
He hit the most fours in the tournament (27) and had a high score of 99 — the equal highest individual score in the tournament’s short history.
3. Jake Roach (Badgers)
M: 8 | Runs: 250 | SR: 182.50 | Ave: 62.50 | HS: 75* | Wkts: 9 | Econ: 4.10 | Ave: 9.56 | BB: 2-2
The towering all-rounder was a powerhouse throughout the tournament, securing victory for his side on more than one occasion with blistering individual knocks.
Roach smashed 23 fours and 13 sixes on his way to 250 runs – more than anyone else in the tournament – at an average of 62.50 and a ridiculous strike rate of 182.50.
In his last four innings, he scored a combined 213 runs off 105 balls and finished unbeaten on three occasions.
Roach also had a huge impact with the ball, taking nine wickets at 9.56 from 21 overs and finishing with the best economy rate (4.10)
4. Angus Warnock (Badgers)
M: 8 | Runs: 130 | SR: 121.50 | Ave: 18.57 | HS: 32
The experienced wicketkeeper-batsman was solid with the bat and took every chance behind the stumps.
No gloveman affected more dismissals across the tournament as Warnock, with the Norths stalwart claiming six catches, six stumpings and two assisted run outs.
He did not have a massive tournament opening the batting for the Badgers, but chipped in with some valuable runs, scoring 130 at 18.57 with a strike rate of 121.50.
5. Rhys Camilleri (Badgers)
M: 8 | Runs: 145 | SR: 98.60 | Ave: 48.33 | HS: 42*
The Cassowary Coast shot-maker scored 144 runs at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 100 after the first six games, which included unbeaten matchwinning knocks of 42, 36 and 39.
He had plenty of enthusiasm in the field and swung the momentum in the Badgers’ second-round clash against the Thunder when he launched into the air with his arms fully extended and hauled in a screamer to remove Dan Parnell.
He also took the gloves for one match and finished with a caught behind, an assisted run-out and a stumping.
6. Brendan Nasser (Hurricanes)
M: 8 | Runs: 234 | SR: 111.40 | Ave: 32.43 | HS: 99*
The experienced batsman carried his side to an important win against the Thunder with the knock of the tournament, scoring the winning runs with a last-ball six to finish unbeaten on 99 off 75 balls.
He provided much-needed consistency to the Hurricanes batting line-up, only once scoring less than 15 runs in eight innings.
Nasser finished in the top three for runs scored in the tournament, with 234 runs at an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 111.4.
7. Paul Nasser (Thunder)
M: 8 | Runs: 153 | SR: 102.7 | Ave: 21.86 | HS: 46* | Wkts: 7 | Econ: 6.19 | Ave: 23.43 | BB: 2-11
He would be the first to admit he didn’t have as much impact as he would have liked, but the Atherton all-rounder was still handy.
Despite coming to the crease with his side under early pressure on more than one occasion, the No.3 batsman amassed 153 runs at an average of 21.86 and a strike rate of 102.7.
He also took on a large workload with the ball, and claimed seven wickets at an average of 23.43 from 26.3 overs, with an economy rate of 6.19.
8. Brenton Edwards (Dare Devils)
M: 6 | Runs: 98 | SR: 100.00 | Ave: 19.60 | HS: 64* | Wkts: 11 | Econ: 7.90 | Ave: 14.36 | BB: 2-11
The Dare Devils skipper earns selection as a bowling all-rounder, with an ability to take on a pinch-hitting role and lift the run rate late in an innings.
Edwards was one of the most consistent wicket-takers, claiming a scalp every time he was part of the attack to finish with 11 poles – the second most for the tournament – at an average of 14.36.
But it was a forgettable tournament for Edwards with the bat, failing in four of his six innings at the crease, with his sole highlight an unbeaten 64 against the Hurricanes.
9. Will Robertson (Badgers)
M: 8 | Wkts: 10 | Econ: 6.32 | Ave: 15.80 | BB: 2-19
After taking the most wickets in the Cricket Far North season, the Mulgrave legspinner maintained his form in the Big Bash.
Robertson bowled 25 overs throughout the tournament and claimed 10 wickets at an average of 15.80, including best figures of 2-19. He also proved difficult to score off with an economy rate of 6.32.
While he didn’t get too many opportunities with the bat, he can provide some fireworks late.
10. Blake Raper (Hurricanes)
M: 8 | Wkts: 14 | Econ: 5.38 | Ave: 11.14 | BB: 4-5
The spearhead was unstoppable as he cleaned up the rest of the competition, taking a tournament-best 14 wickets at an average of 11.14 from his 29 overs.
Raper took at least one wicket in each of his eight games, with his best performance coming against the Dare Devils, where he finished with incredible figures of 4-5.
The Mulgrave quick had the ball on a string and proved difficult to score off, with an economy rate of 5.38.
11. Jordan Fulton (Thunder)
M: 8 | Wkts: 9 | Econ: 5.00 | Ave: 10.56 | BB: 4-8
The Thunder paceman was almost impossible to get away and finished with the second-best economy rate in the competition (5.00).
Fulton took nine wickets at an average of 10.56 from his 19 overs, and grabbed a wicket every 12.67 balls.
Other notable innings include 2-10 from his four overs against the Hurricanes and 3-14 from his four overs against the Dare Devils on another occasion.
12. Dan Freebody (Badgers)
M: 8 | Runs: 99 | SR: 110.00 | Ave: 19.80 | HS: 36 | Wkts: 7 | Econ: 8.33 | Ave: 12.86 | BB: 2-3
The Barron captain played his role as an all-rounder perfectly throughout the tournament, contributing with both bat and ball when required.
Freebody averaged just under 13 balls per wicket, finishing with seven scalps at an average of 17.86 and an economy rate of 8.33, including best figures of 2-3.
He also helped keep the runs ticking as a middle order batsman, with scores of 27, 36 and 21 coming in at four, five and six, respectively.
THE TEAM
Chris Adams (Badgers)
Justin Reid (Hurricanes)
Jake Roach (Badgers)
Angus Warnock (Badgers)
Rhys Camilleri (Badgers)
Brendan Nasser (Hurricanes)
Paul Nasser (Thunder)
Brenton Edwards (Dare Devils)
Will Robertson (Badgers)
Blake Raper (Hurricanes)
Jordan Fulton (Thunder)
12th man: Dan Freebody (Badgers)
Originally published as Barrier Reef Big Bash: Cairns Post’s Team of the Tournament
‘Free lunch for the little criminals?’: Voter lets fly at Miles
A seething Townsville retiree has unloaded on Steven Miles and the Labor party for their handling of the youth crime crisis and school lunch plan.
Next Gen: 11 Queensland junior softballers turning heads
Queensland best junior softballers haved flocked to Cairns to take part in the National School Sports Softball Championships.