Barrier Reef Big Bash: Freebody eager to go after in-form Fulton

Twomey Schriber Thunder spearhead Jordan Fulton issued an ominous warning to his Barrier Reef Big Bash rivals with a ferocious spell against the Designer First Homes Dare Devils.

Twomey Schriber Thunder spearhead Jordan Fulton issued an ominous warning to his Barrier Reef Big Bash rivals with a ferocious spell against the Designer First Homes Dare Devils.

The Barron River Cricket Club stalwart claimed tournament-best figures of 4-8 in the Thunder’s 36-run win over the Dare Devils at Griffiths Park on Sunday.

Since the Cricket Far North competition returned in the new year, Fulton has played three 50-over matches and two Twenty20s and taken combined figures of 14-106.

Fulton’s Barron River teammate Dan Freebody, who plays for Piccones Badgers in the Barrier Reef Big Bash, said it was a sign the towering paceman, who claimed the most wickets in the 2017-18 Cricket Far North season, was back to his best.

Twomey Schriber Thunder quick Jordan Fulton, pictured playing for Far North Fusion, has been in scintillating form with the ball. Picture: Brendan Radke

“With Barron, and on the weekend as well, he’s just been bowling really quick and accurate,” he said.

“He also uses his height well so he just bowls that hard-to-hit length.

“Obviously in Twenty20 cricket, and even when we’re playing limited-overs cricket, you’ve got to sort of go, and he is hard to hit.

“He’s been bowling first change and, when the openers bowl well, the batters have to obviously go.

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“They’ve tried to go him but he’s bowled that good length and that’s where he’s getting a lot of his wickets, off batsmen trying to force shots.”

Freebody said Fulton was bowling with confidence.

“A couple of years ago he was the leading wicket-taker but then last season he had a side strain at the training session on the Thursday before the first game,” he said.

“He couldn’t bowl for eight weeks and then he came back for a couple games, then it was Christmas, and then we had a bit of a heavy wet season, so he couldn’t really get any rhythm last season. But this season he worked really hard in the pre-season and bowled really well.

Piccones Badgers’ Dan Freebody, pictured playing for Barron River. Picture: Stewart McLean

“He was a little bit unlucky with wickets at the start of the season, but he’s definitely gotten reward for all the hard work at the back end.

“He’s bowling with good pace – the best pace I’ve seen him bowl with.”

Freebody said he was looking forward to playing against Fulton in the Barrier Reef Big Bash this weekend.

“Hopefully he strays a bit on Saturday and I can get after a couple of his balls,” Freebody said.

“I didn’t get to face him in the first round because when he bowled and I batted we didn’t quite meet up, but hopefully I’ll get to face a few of his balls and maybe put a few to the boundary on Saturday night.”

WEEKEND DRAW

Friday, March 19

6.30pm: Hurricanes v Dare Devils

Saturday, March 20

9am: Thunder v Hurricanes

1.30pm: Badgers v Dare Devils

6.30pm: Thunder v Badgers

Sunday, March 21

1pm: Qualifying final (1st v 2nd)

4.30pm: Elimination final (3rd v 4th)

Originally published as Barrier Reef Big Bash: Freebody eager to go after in-form Fulton