Photo Credit: Queensland Cricket
Regional cricket in Queensland has been boosted with confirmation that a Queensland Country Under-19 team will play in this month’s Australian Under-19 championships in Mackay.The withdrawal of Western Australia from the national titles created a vacancy that will be filled by a second Under-19 team from Queensland.
It will be the first time two teams from Queensland will compete in the national titles at that age group.
The Country-based squad will be coached by Townsville-based former Australian Country player and Queensland Country Brahmans coach Tony Hampson.
The Queensland Country Under-19 squad will be chosen later this week, as will the Queensland Under-19 side that will be coached by former Test fast bowler Ryan Harris.
The Country team will be chosen from regionally based players and those from a regional background originally who are currently playing in the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition.
Queensland Cricket General Manager – High Performance, Bennett King, said the addition of the Country team was a significant boost for regional players.
“It’s a bonus for the Queensland Cricket Pathways program and will mean that more regionally based players will have the opportunity to test themselves against their peers,’’ he said.
“We’re also pleased that the team will be able play matches in a major regional venue, and congratute Mackay Cricket and Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park on being chosen to host the championships.”
“The national pathways program has had a disrupted few seasons now due to COVID-19 so it is encouraging to have the Under-19 male and Under-18 female titles back in the calendar.”
The Under-19 male championships in Mackay and Under-19 female championships in Adelaide will be held from 7 April to 14 April.
Meanwhile the Under-16 Male State Championships will take place in Caloundra next month, with four teams competing.
Former Queensland player Nathan Reardon and current Bulls batsman Sam Truloff will be among the coaching specialists involved with the championships that will feature T20 and 50 over matches from 4 – 6 April.
Name of Author: Queensland Cricket
Queensland Cricket, previously the Queensland Cricket Association, is the governing body for cricket in Queensland, Australia. Established in 1876, it oversees the Queensland Bulls, Queensland Fire, Allan Border Field, and Queensland Premier Cricket. Terry Svenson is the current CEO, and Kirsten Pike is the Chair of the Board of Directors.
