Wet conditions put a dampener on South Queensland’s campaign in Cairns

CRICKET: While the Downs sweated it out through the unrelenting sun, South Queensland had to endure the elements in the Queensland Country Championships in Cairns.

Cameron Brimblecombe. Picture: Brendan Radke

CRICKET: While the Downs sweated it out through the unrelenting sun, South Queensland had to endure the elements in the Queensland Country Championships in Cairns.

Led by coach Kent Reimers and featuring Toowoomba players Cameron Brimblecombe (captain), Chris Gillam, Pieter van der Kooij, Regan Hoger and Kris Glass, SQ came up against a red-hot North Queensland, who swept the weekend 3-0.

It started with a Twenty20 victory, followed by two 50-over successes, with the southerners left to ponder what might’ve been.

“The showers came through and we were sent in on a wet one early in the T20. We really struggled. The pitch flattened out and they cruised home,” Reimers said.

“On the second day we were better. They batted first and scored 270, and with five overs remaining we were well-placed to launch an attack before the rain intervened and they won on Duckworth-Lewis system.

“The third day was wet again. Our spinners struggled to get a grip on the ball and they were able to chase down the total with five wickets in hand.

“It was one of those ultimately frustrating weekend. They were the better team, winning day one and three quite comfortable. We have to pay credit to North Queensland, but we would’ve loved a couple of dry days and an even playing field.”

The Queensland Country squad was dominated by northerners, filling 11 of the 14 roster spots.

Toowoomba players filled out two of the three South Queensland squad to make the team, with Brimblecombe and Gillam chosen.

“Chris made some runs on the second day and Cameron is back as captain,” Reimers said.

“Pieter is one of the unlucky ones to have missed out. He performed really well and made 47 on the second day before copping a rough LBW decision on day three.

“Kris had to come home early due to work but was strong again, and Regan performed well for his first year at that level. He’ll learn a whole lot out of that experience and what it takes to play at that standard.”

The Toowoomba pair will link up with the Queensland Country team in January for T20 and 50-over fixtures against their New South Wales and ACT counterparts.