Neale earns recognition at Qld Country awards

TOOWOOMBA’S Sam Neale received a prestigious honour at the Queensland Cricket Country awards.

Sam Neale (centre) receives his Most Improved Country Player award from QCAA patron Ian Healy (left) and QCAA president Kev Maher. Photo: Contributed

CRICKET: Sam Neale has added to his trophy cabinet with another statewide honour.

The Toowoomba all-rounder was named Queensland Cricket’s Most Improved Country Player for the 2019/20 season.

As the youngest player on the Queensland side, Neale averaged 28.67 runs with the bat and 11.5 with the ball throughout the Australian Country Cricket Championships.

“Obviously it’s an honour to get recognition and for selectors to see a bit of potential there,” Neale said.

“I had an okay Country Championships. I would’ve liked a few more runs and wickets, but as long a I put my best effort out there I’m happy.”

After a season to remember with Western Districts locally, Neale will ply his trade in the Brisbane competition this year, as he looks to lock down a first-grade spot with Norths.

“I’ll be playing with Norths this year, and there’s a few Toowoomba lads there so some familiar faces,” he said.

“We’re getting towards the end of the pre-season. It’s been pretty full on with plenty of fitness. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and playing some cricket.

“I’m still not too sure what grade I’ll see myself in this year, but I’ll be trying to take every opportunity that comes my way.”

DDSWQ PREPARES FOR FIRST TRIAL

With the Lord’s Taverner season fast approaching, Darling Downs South West Queensland will play in the first of its trial matches before the start of the regular season.

The U16s squad will travel east to take on Wynnum Manly on Sunday, with coach Adrian Bidgood taking 13 players to Brisbane.

“We are expecting them to be quite a strong side and it will be really good for our boys to get out in the middle and have a hit,” Bidgood said.

“The boys have done lots of training in the nets and they are keen to get out and play a game in match conditions.”

This will be the first of two trials ahead of their season opener against Redlands next month.

SQUAD: Rex Tooley, Paarth Menon, Matthew Spanner, Callum Galvin, Kade Martin, Kye Martin, Chace Oates, TJ Samarawickrama, Joe Fry, Cooper Webster, Morgan Bourke, Lachlan Spies, Joe Sippel.