Friday 5 February 2010

A slashing batting display by the Queensland Academy of Sport has lifted them to victory over the Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander XI in their annual one-day match today at Allan Border Field.

In a high-scoring clash, the QAS motored to 7-326 from their 40 overs, only to see the Indigenous side make a strong fist of the run chase before being kept to 7-242.

Playing on the same wicket used in the Futures League match this week, both batting line-ups relished the true pitch and quick outfield.

QAS captain Chris Lynn continued his fine run this summer, top-scoring with 65 from 55 balls including six fours and five sixes.

But it was young guns Sam Truloff and Michael Neser who caught the eye late in the innings with a confident display.

Truloff, 16, was the leading runs-scorer at the recent national Under-17 titles and the Marburg youngster showed his potential with 44 from 26 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

The South African-born Neser, 19, was equally aggressive as the Gold Coast Dolphins first grader belted 49 from 27 balls, including a quartet of boundaries and four sixes.

There were also handy knocks from North opener Joe Burns (40) and Toombul batsman Chris Sabburg (41).

Cairns allrounder Glen Martin, recently returned from representing the Queensland Country Brahmans at the national titles in Albury-Woodonga, was the pick of the QA&TSI attack with 2-39 from his eight overs.

Tall paceman Ashley Renouf picked up 2-63 to also perform solidly.

The Indigenous team made a bright start, with the experienced Barry Weare (47) and hard-hitting Norths batsman Michael Strange (46) both taking a toll early.

The robust Strange clouted four fours and two sixes in his 40-ball innings although he and Weare both fell as the run-rate began to mount in spite of the pair scoring at six-runs an over.

Allrounders Preston White (21 off 26 balls) and Cameron Trask (36 off 31 overs) did their best to keep the chase on track, as did some lusty hitting from former Queensland Bulls rookie paceman Worrin Williams and Queensland Under-17 batsman Trent Clemments.

Williams hit a quickfire 38 off 27 balls while Clemments showed his considerable promise with a cleanly-struck 27 off 19 balls.

But the task of keeping wickets in hand while scoring at close to eight runs an over told in the end as the QAS wrapped up the result with an 84-run margin.

Towering teenage Wests left-arm paceman Nick Walden did nicely to claim 2-40 from eight overs while 16-year-old Gold Coast quick Corey McMahon took 2-57.

Experienced Beenleigh/Logan allrounder Simon Larrescey (0-35from eight overs) went wicket-less but his clever leg-breaks helped slow down the scoring during the middle overs.

Queenslands’s Imparja Cup team,which features several members from today's QA&TSI XI in its ranks, will now prepare for its title defence at the national Indigenous championships in Alice Springs next week.

The Imparja Cup starts on Monday, with over 450 players and volunteers and 32 teams involved across four divisions of competition, with the week culminating in Finals on Saturday.

The tournament will this year open with the ACA Masters team taking on an Indigenous Representative XI under lights at Traeger Park on Sunday.

Clemments, Ben Mainhardt, Chris Swain and Cameron Trask are the Queenslander representatives in the Indigenous side, while former Queensland and Australian great Matthew Hayden will be a guest player in their team.

Queensland coach Michael Mainhardt and Queensland ICAC chair Larry Budd will also be involved in the off-field preparations for the match.

The Indigenous XI to take on the ACA on Sunday night is:

Bernie Lamont (Captain, TAS)

Trent Clemments (QLD)

Matthew Hayden (QLD)

Alex Kerr (VIC)

Ben Mainhardt (QLD)

Darcy Short (NT)

Matthew Stopp (SA)

Chris Swain (QLD)

Cameron Trask (QLD)

Jake Turner (NSW)

Danny Tye (ACT)

Lewis Upton (WA)

Michael Mainhardt (Coach, QLD)

Larry Budd (Manager, QLD)