Thursday and it is the turn of Toombul; another Queensland Premier Cricket club that shapes as a firm contender for the upcoming KFC T20 Max competition. CAM VELLACOTT likes the look of a well-balanced bowling attack and a batting line-up stacked with runs.
T20 Max Preview - Toombul
PREVIEW
Falling short of finals last KFC T20 Max by two wins, Toombul return with plenty of fresh faces in search of greater success.
NSW young gun Lachlan Hearne returns to Toombul as captain, hoping to replicate his batting success of last season. Hearne is joined by fellow New South Welshmen Elijah Eales, leg-spinner Devlin Malone and Ryan Gibson. Last season, the left handed Hearne lit up Ken Mackay Oval with an astonishing 114 not out (54) against Uni. Ryan Gibson brings a wealth of experience to the Bulls, having played for both the Melbourne Stars and currently Adelaide Strikers in the KFC BBL.
Sam Wilson, Jeremy White, Hassan Sadar and Addy Grewal have all come across from Buckland Road rivals Norths in search of greater opportunity. Known for launching switch hits and excellent out fielding, Addy Grewal will provide plenty of power and class to the batting line up.
Last year’s Premier Cricket leading wicket taker Aubrey Stockdale will lead the Toombul pace attack with veteran Ronan McDonald. Stockdale will revel in the schoolboy connection with Toby Snell and Jeremy White, hoping for a few easy caught behinds for his mate Toby.
Pocket rocket Tom Balkin will be eager to press his claims as a young quick after some winter sessions with the Queensland Bulls bowling group. The variations in height, pace and style between Stockdale, Balkin, McDonald and White provides a really rounded pace battery for the Bulls, which could hold them in good stead through the competition.
Coach: Andrew Pilgrim
Captain: Lachlan Hearne
Home Ground: Ken MacKay Oval
T20 Premierships: 2009/10
2022 Placing: 7th
Players In:
- Addy Grewal (Norths)
- Hassan Sadar (Norths)
- Jeremy White (Norths)
- Sam Wilson (Norths)
- Lachlan Hearne (NSW Premier)
- Elijah Eales (NSW Premier)
- Ryan Gibson (NSW Premier)
- Devlin Malone (NSW Premier)
Players Out:
- Harry McNeilly (Wests)
- Scott Palombo (Norths)
Players to Watch:
Elijah Eales – Son of the man they called nobody, because nobody’s perfect, Eales has proven his talent in NSW Premier Cricket. He’s a genuine all rounder who offers right arm mediums pacers and left handed maximums with the bat. Eales will be looking to take down attacks with the bat, and could prove an excellent ally with captain Hearne at the top of the order.
Aubrey Stockdale – Last year’s Qld Premier Cricket leading wicket taker will be fired up and ready to send down some rockets. While his time at Toombul will be short this season, he will be looking to impress South Australian selectors before he relocates down there. An old school fast bowler, he’s near unplayable in full flight.