Friday 30 July 2010

The Queensland Thunder’s booming run through the Australian Indoor Cricket Championships hit some severe turbulence yesterday when they lost both of their final qualifying round matches.

Having destroyed the opposition in their previous six outings, the Thunder were beaten by arch rivals WA by 12 runs and then by North Queensland in a one-run thriller last night.

Despite the setbacks, Queensland finished on top of the table going into the finals series.

Thunder coach Col Robinson did rest some players and nursed through several others with niggling injuries.

“I’m confident we will bounce back and have some success over the weekend,” Robinson said.

North Queensland also quailed for the finals, finishing level on points with Victoria but in third place.

It was plainer sailing for the Queensland Lightning, the women finishing unbeaten and three games clear of their nearest rivals Victoria.

The biggest headache for coach Donna Dalby is at the selection table, with all of the squad in outstanding form.

The Under 21 Men also went through undefeated with a number of big wins, although NSW Blues lost just the one game.

Queensland coach Brad Walsh is quietly confident his troops will get the job done on the weekend.

“The Blues are our main threat but if our boys play to their potential, all will be fine,” Walsh said.