The Queensland Bulls have wrapped up a successful pre-season visit to the Fraser Coast ahead of their season-opener next Wednesday at Allan Border Field.
Fraser Coast Visit A Success
The Bulls fielded teams for two practice games against Tasmania on Monday and Tuesday at Newtown Oval in Maryborough, winning one and narrowly losing the second.
As well as valuable limited overs match practice ahead of next week’s Domestic One Day Cup game against Victoria, the players participated in school and community visits in Maryborough and Hervey Bay.
There were more than 850 fans attend the two games, which had free admission, while more than 100 boys and girls attended free Queensland Cricket coaching events in Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
Players also visited four schools, with 350 students participating in cricket clinics across the two days.
The pre-season visit to the region was made possible through the support of the Fraser Coast Council, with Mayor Cr George Seymour tossing the coin for the opening game.
In the first match, Queensland dismissed Tasmania for 250 in the 45th over, with two wickets apiece to Michael Neser, Tom Straker, Mitch Swepson and Zanden Jeh.
In reply, the Bulls scored 6-251, with captain Marnus Labuschagne top-scoring with 67 and Lachlan Hearne hitting 45.
In the second game, the Bulls made 8-221 in 50 overs, with Angus Lovell (64) and Gurinder Sandhu (46no) leading the way with the bat.
Sandhu almost snatched victory, finishing with 4-52 as Tasmania reached the target with nine wickets down, relying on a fine 94no from Jordan Silk to claim the win.
The Queensland Fire have been competitive in their three practice games to date on the Sunshine Coast, with a highlight being a fine win over Victoria earlier this week.
The victory was sealed through a outstanding 94no from captain Sianna Ginger.