Toowoomba Grey Cavaliers to send a large contingent of players for Queensland honours

The status of veteran’s cricket continues to grow in Toowoomba, and the region will send a record number of Queensland representatives to the annual Cooper-Finlay Cup next week.

CRICKET: Toowoomba’s surging veteran cricketers are set to notch another major milestone this coming week.

A strong contingent of locals will descend on the Gold Coast on Monday for the annual Cooper-Finlay Cup, pitting traditional rivals Queensland and New South Wales against each other.

A total of 12 players from Toowoomba are set to don the maroon, an achievement Grey Cavaliers president and over 65s representative Ian Reimers said was a special one to share with teammates.

“It’s amazing to all come together for the event,” he said.

“Throughout the course of the season we play against all the other teams and then come together to put on the Queensland gear and cap.

“It’s a huge honour and a very special time for us.”

Reimers has been a regular in the Queensland team for a few years, and he said to see so many local faces in the side was a credit to the sport.

“It’s the most we’ve ever had,” he said.

“Our numbers are increasing. It’s a huge growth area within the sport and it’s growing all the time.

“It’s as much cricket tragics who have been playing the game for years as it is those, particularly over 60, who need something to do.

“Cricket is a sport that fills that void, gives them somewhere to go and belong.”

The Cooper-Finlay Cup takes place over two days on the Gold Coast on Monday and Tuesday, with over 400 players set to represent both states.

It marks a return to the competition after last year’s event in Tamworth was cancelled after one day due to Covid.

The event marks the start of the season for a lot of veteran players in Toowoomba, with the Grey Cavaliers to get their season underway in April.

Currently the side has six teams combined in the over 50s and over 60s divisions.

QLD REPRESENTATIVES: David Reuter, David Goddard, Rob Whittaker, Chris Herdon, Stephen Roberts, Des Steinberg, John Milton, Steve Harvey, Bob Englebright, Matthew Goddard, Ian Reimers, Noel McIntyre

Queensland Country cricket player Jaimie-Lee Strang. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba teen earns historic English contract

CRICKET: Jaimie-Lee Strang may only be 17, but in a few months time she’ll create history in England.

The South Queensland Country representative is set to become Leigh Cricket Club’s first ever international player when she joins the side in April.

It gives Strang the chance to live out a dream playing cricket aboard, following on from the curiosity she had as a young player.

“My interest in England started with dad (Graham),” she said.

“He told me the tales of when he went over to play some county cricket. He got to explore, play on some fantastic fields and meet new people.

“I was like ‘Wow. If there’s a chance for me to play, can you help me out?’

“An opportunity came along at Leigh and I jumped at it. I can’t explain how excited I am.”

A reward for her hard work and strong play at first grade level in Brisbane for Ipswich, Strang is looking forward to be able to showcase her skills in a new environment.

“I signed the contract last week to become a contracted international player. I just have to get my Visa and passport sorted and I’ll be over in a few months,” she said.

“It’s similar to Brisbane premier in that there’s a one-day comp and T20s. There’s a few little comps as well playing against a bunch of regions.

“I’ll be playing at least twice a week and training will be hectic. I’ll be on the grind over there.

Queensland Country cricket player Jaimie-Lee Strang is set to play in England. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I was very happy with myself. This is a bit of a dream come true to be good enough to travel for my cricket. Having the feeling that someone wants you for your ability is an awesome feeling.”

Strang is set to fly out for England on April 19 with her first game for Leigh just a few days later, capping what will be a busy period for the young wicketkeeper-batter.

The former Harristown SHS student is also set to represent Queensland at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Albury following a strong showing for South Queensland in Toowoomba.

“I knew and played against a lot of the North Queensland girls so it’s good to come up against mates in a friendly competition,” she said.

“I was very surprised. This is my first Queensland selection for outdoor cricket and I’m absolutely stoked to be able to travel a bit more.

“It’s a bit of a dream come true. I’ve been wanting to make a Queensland side forever.

“It will be a busy week. We have a very strong side. The skill and ability is there, so I’m sure we will have a good shot at it.”

Her latest achievements reflect a lifetime of hard work in her craft, and Strang is continuing to aim high for her future.

“I started back when I was eight years old and have been playing ever since,” she said.

“I played here for the local Mets team, then the Girls Cricket Hub. I made a bunch of new cricket friends and that’s when girls cricket really expanded.

“We could see all the big players for Australia and the Big Bash, it was fantastic. There are so many more opportunities and competition now than there ever was.

“I like to shoot high. The next step from here is looking at the Queensland Fire. It’s all one step at a time.

“Hopefully the Big Bash, and if I put in the hard work and have the right mindset, I’d love to play for Australia.

“Right now I’m looking at getting experience from England, learning new things and coming back a better player.”

Warwick cricketer Lucy Bourke has been selected to represent Queensland Country. Photo: Sean Teuma

“It’s a great experience”: Warwick teen’s Queensland feat

CRICKET: As far as exciting young talents on the Darling Downs go, Lucy Bourke ranks right near the top.

The Warwick cricketer has notched one of her best achievements to date in her young career, with the 16-year-old earning selection for Queensland Country.

Bourke was a standout player for South Queensland during the recent Jonassen-Kimmince Shield held in Toowoomba, finishing the T20 series as the leading runscorer (110 runs at 36.6).

“Being in the first South vs North Queensland women’s side was pretty cool. It was a great experience over a couple of days,” she said.

“We had a pretty young team. It was just about going out and playing some good cricket and having some fun while we were doing it.

“It felt pretty good actually. I didn’t expect to score that many, but just to pull the team together and get a good score was great.”

Bourke’s cricketing journey like many started with family in the backyard, but it became apparent from an early time that she had above average ability.

“It started in Warwick. Backyard cricket was all I wanted to do with my brother and dad,” she said.

“I played in the Warwick juniors and then went up to Brisbane. I would’ve been about 10 when I started club cricket.

“I made my first Queensland team when I was 10 (U12s Schoolgirls).”

A host of representative honours have since followed, including further schoolgirl honours and being named in an Australian development squad as well.

Now Bourke is currently playing in the first grade Katherine Raymont Shield in Brisbane for Valley, where a strong season with the bat has seen the 16-year-old cement her position at the top of the order in the competition which has featured some of Australia’s best players.

She rates national representative as one of the best she’s played both with and against, and has dreams to reach that level in the future.

“I think it’s the best way to get into cricket if you want to go further on,” she said.

“Playing with and against Beth Mooney has been pretty good.

“It’s awesome. It’s just another level playing against her and with her.

“There’s a long way to go but it’s definitely a goal (to play for Australia).”

A boarder at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane, Bourke gets the chance to hone her skills while studying, and has her sites set on performing well at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Albury in April.

“I love boarding school. I get to be with all my friends and I still get to do cricket,” she said.

“They’ve got a good cricket program. They do a Flyer program where we get to do spares and workshops with sport.”

“I’d love to do well in Albury which is a goal of mine.

“For club cricket I hope we can have a chance to get into the semis or the final for first grade.”

Bourke will be joined in the Queensland side with fellow Warwick player Laura Scheiwe, as well as Downs talents Jaimie-Lee Strang, Bree Craven and Eden Colon.

Arshvir Singh (middle row, left) was chosen in the South Queensland Country team. Photo: Contributed.

Singh’s big knocks leads to Queensland Country rep honour

CRICKET: Arshvir Singh has added another string to his bow, earning South Queensland Country selection following a strong showing at the O’Dea Shield in Hervey Bay.

Singh finished the tournament with knocks of 18 against SEQ and an unbeaten 74 as well as a wicket against Wide Bay.

What makes it even more special is the fact Singh is just 17 competing against competitors in the U21s tournament.

A good bowling effort against SEQ saw them restricted to 185 on the back of three wickets from Hayden Campbell.

An unbeaten 46 from Ben Brocherie wasn’t enough to prevent a 37- run defeat.

Singh’s knocked helped DDSWQ post a score of 196 against Wide Bay.

It couldn’t prevent another defeat however, going down by five wickets.

Georgia Voll. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Toowoomba 18-year-old earns national honour

CRICKET: Toowoomba is set to welcome its newest international representative.

Young gun Georgia Voll has been given the biggest honour of her rising career, earning a call up to the Australia A squad for its upcoming series against England A later this month.

The 18-year-old was included in the 15-woman squad on the back of a strong season to date for the Brisbane Heat, Queensland Fire and Sandgate-Redcliffe.

A regular through the representative ranks as she came up through the grades, Voll rates this as the pinnacle achievement so far.

“There were a few emails thrown around with all the Covid stuff going on,” she said.

“There was an extended squad email and it was narrowed down from there. I got the call on Saturday and it was really exciting. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.

“It’s obviously the biggest achievement of my career so far, and goes to show the hard work I try and put in every day to get better is working.

“To be playing alongside some of the best girls in the country is what I’m most looking forward to.”

Voll has been in hot form with the bat in recent times.

Her last two innings with the Heat saw her pile on 61 runs, while she has also added knocks of 47* and 45 with Sandgate-Redcliffe, as well as 40 and 31 for the Fire.

“I probably thought I haven’t had the best season to date. I started pretty poor with club and tried to change that during the WBBL. I eventually found some form and was able to get starts,” she said.

“It’s just about converting them into big scores. That comes with experience and contributing to the team is what I’m trying to do.”

Voll will get the chance to impress across six fixtures to be held in Adelaide and Canberra, as she takes the next step towards a dream of playing for Australia.

“It’s a stepping stone and what you have to go through to get to the top,” she said.

“It’s a good start. I’m really enjoying the spot I’m at with the teams I’m in and how I’m training.”

Voll said she was grateful for the amount of support she’s received since the news came to light.

“I’ve been in isolation for the last seven days and stuck with a couple of the girls down here. I haven’t seen mum or dad,” she said.

“I’ve received a whole heap of messages. It’s good to see how much support I’ve got. I always know it’s there but it’s nice to get the calls and texts every time I do something.”

The first of three T20 matches commence on January 20, with the one-day matches to get underway on January 28.