Roach hits straps at perfect time; Coach sledge behind form surge

Whoever faces Piccones Badgers in the T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash final is going to have problems while captain Jake Roach is at the crease, according to a rival captain.

WHOEVER faces Piccones Badgers in the T20 Barrier Reef Big Bash final is going to have problems while captain Jake Roach is at the crease.

That’s the view of Halpin Hurricanes skipper Michael Salerno, who could only watch as the long-time representative all-rounder made mincemeat of the 166-run target in Sunday’s qualifying final.

RELIVE THE BRILLIANT INNINGS HERE

“Any team with Jake Roach in it, you just don’t feel confident while he’s out there,” Salerno said. “We didn’t feel comfortable at all.”

The Hurricanes set what is usually a defendable target after No. 1 draft pick Justin Reid went ballistic, smashing 14 boundaries and four sixes in a 60-ball 99-run innings.

But Roach had plenty more to come. He strolled to the crease with Badgers at 1-27 and immediately got to work, building his innings with good cricket shots which relied on timing and poking holes in the Hurricanes’ field.

Badgers' Jake Roach. Picture: Brendan Radke

His wicket was key to Hurricanes’ defence, but while Salerno tried desperately to take his wicket, Roach went about his business, hitting four boundaries, three sixes and and running hard between the wickets as they chipped away at the total.

It’s that ability to adapt to any format which makes him so dangerous, and he proved it yet again in another unbeaten match-winning innings.

Badgers qualified for the grand final, and await the winner of Friday night’s clash between Hurricanes and Twomey Schriber Thunder.

Salerno has put the Roach masterclass out of his mind, with his focus on the Thunder.

“We’re in a good spot. The batting is starting to click, the bowling isn’t too far away, and we know the Thunder is going to come at us hard,” he said.

“We’ll set up for the Thunder with the plan to get through to the grand final.”

You can relive Reid and Roach’s outstanding innings’ on the Cairns Post website.

CHEEKY SLEDGE BEHIND FORM SURGE

A lighthearted quip between Thunder spearhead Jordan Fulton and coach Steve Kerwitz could be behind the fast bowler’s recent form surge.

Fulton was the star again as the Thunder claimed a 15-run win over the Dare Devils to book their spot in this Friday’s challenger final.

The tall paceman did the damage with ball in hand as he backed up claimed 3-14 from his four overs, including the big scalp of Dare Devils skipper Brenton Edwards in the first over.

Fulton has taken combined figures of 21-157 from 43 overs in his last eight matches (three 50-over matches and five Twenty20s).

Thunder's Jordan Fulton celebrates Tajinder Vicki Kumar being caught out in the Barrier Reef Big Bash elimination final match between the Twomey Schriber Thunder and the Designer First Homes Dare Devils, held at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

“He’s been the pick of the bowlers for us,” said Thunder skipper Dan Parnell.

“He’s been on song for us the whole tournament and he just went again today, which was special.

“He’s got good rhythm and he’s bowling with a lot of confidence. And he feels like he belongs and is part of the group, I think that’s a big part.”

But it could be a ribbing from Kerwitz that has sparked Fulton’s wicket-taking spree, with the coach getting under the quick’s skin — in the best possible way — by calling him a “medium-pacer”.

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“Steve’s been into him a fair bit and Jordo’s been playing along and just proving him wrong I think,” said Parnell.

“We’ve got a good bit of banter and culture in the side.

“We’ve gone down in a few tight games but we’re all getting along well.”

And, most importantly, they are still alive in the tournament, unlike the Dare Devils, who were knocked out following Sunday’s loss.

Thunder's Jordan Fulton sends a ball down the pitch in the Barrier Reef Big Bash elimination final match between the Twomey Schriber Thunder and the Designer First Homes Dare Devils, held at Griffiths Park, Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Thunder will play the loser of Sunday’s qualifying final between the Badgers and the Hurricanes on Friday night, with the last grand final spot up for grabs.

“We got a lot of room to improve in our side,” said Parnell.

“We’ve got the potential there, we just need to do a lot more with our batting.”

He said the Badgers were the team to beat. “It’s really hard to captain against them because they’re all positive and playing with intent,” he said.

Originally published as Roach hits straps at perfect time; Coach sledge behind form surge