Cricket Tragic and all round gentlemen Paul ‘Wings’ McCarthy with the famous Black Stump trophy.

 

Local Cricket comes back into prominence on Australia Day 2017 with what has been labelled the TWIN TOWN TEST, for the Prestigious BLACK STUMP TROPHY. Naturally it’s the long awaited clash between the MURRUMBURRAH RENEGADES and the HARDEN HURRICANES. This match which used to be a regular Australia Day Fixture here on Tim Doolan Oval, has been in hibernation for a couple of years, now has been revived, and looks like being a Bobby-Dazzler.

Harden will play in BLUE shirts whereas the ‘ Burrah will be decked out in RED tops. Other new features will be the PINK BALL, a BLACK CRICKET BAT, and cool drinks served from under the shade of the Kruger Pavilion Bull nosed Verandah. Coop’s Choice Cuts of pork, fat free thin sausage will be served from the BBQ between Innings’. NO oversized Bats, will be allowed, with the exception of one bloke who purchased one for Christmas. Reverse Sweeps are allowed, but Switch Hits are outlawed. There will definitely be no boundary ropes, the picket fence will register fours and sixes….And the Umpires decision will be final.

The Match will kick off at ELEVEN THIRTY, and will be of 20 /20 duration, where each bowler will toss up 2 overs. And there will be no LBW, with the emphases on run scoring.

The TEAMS: MURRUMBURRAH RENEGADES (Red Tops) Captain Kai Steele- top run scorer this season and with his essential energy could me a match winner. Damien Minehan- A fringe player who has graduated from the now defunct Nubba team. Will play well if he is angry.

Paul Potts: Has now mastered the reverse sweep shot, he copied from Glen Maxwell. Solid Opening Bat.

Leo Tamale: Tall fast bowler in the similar mould to Joel Garner. Bats solidly too.

Shayne Abnett: Well built batsman who hits the six-stitcher to the pickets with considerable force. Will have a big audience watching him.

Paul Shea: A slips fieldsman, not so he dosen’t have to chase balls, but because of his catching ability.

Nathan McCarthy: Up and coming cricketer, who will carry on the McCarthy top class tradition.

Bridie Minehan: Local Representative Lady player, and she should show the fellas a few things, about the craft.

Jon Hill: Making a return to the Cricket Arena after a stint with the Harden Hawks footy lads.

Glen Howe: Mainly acts as a masseur, lets hope nobody rubs him the wrong way.

Gus Shea: Unkown quantity with the bat, but reported to have a savage hook shot.

Reserves: Harry Sachs. Paul Davis. Nathan Schofield.

HARDEN HURRICANES ( Blue Tops )

Jason Smith: Skippering this team for the first time, but has a long and handsome future here, Keen as mustard.

Josh Wakeham: One of our local schoolies who knows how to compile the runs and is a pace bowler to watch.

Todd Spackman: Wicket-Keeper extraordinare. Dosen’t style his Glove-work on Rod Marsh or Adam Gilchrist, but more so that of Tommy Purcell 1990.

Lachlan Hill: A local junior ready to explode, but make sure you keep your head down.

Max Spackman: A fast bowler who needs to just slow down a trifle, take aim at the stumps and possibly eliminate that final skip. Has the makings of a gooden.

Jeff Brown: Comes from southern McMahons Reef territory, and in time will be the complete player.

Ross Turner: The current Cricket Club President. Gets around the field well for a big man. Prefers batting NO 10 or 11.

Jock Ward: A bit of a hit out will do him good. Also a chance to show off his new white Utility.

Will Manwaring: Good Batsman and bowler. Another from “ The Reef “, who can be a match winner.

Bob Head: Experienced cricketer who unfortunately follows the DRAGONS. Might sink a cool one at game end or a little prior. Could be anything.

Hamish Minehan: Little is known of this player, but maybe Harden’s secret weapon in 2017.

Reserves: Ben Brady, Chris Ward, Rob Manwaring.