Test form slump overreaction

Captain Shaun O'Leary heads off for a run during his innings of 42 not out.

DESPITE expected changes to our Test cricket team, there has been plenty of reaction to the new look team that was announced this week after head of selectors Rod Marsh stood aside.
Not all of the commentary has been positive with plenty in the know questioning the treatment of Moonie and Ferguson. While both failed to show their potential in Perth, there is a school of thought that they have been treated harshly- especially Moonie who Cricket Australia would not allow to play in the weekend Shield match and then tossed him on the scrap heap.
A harsh lesson for a talented young guy who may now not get another chance as the selection panel gave every indication they will give players in this new-look side every chance to succeed despite the outcome in Adelaide.
A shock selection for many has been the recall of Wade as keeper after struggling to come to terms with the nuances of the pink ball in the past. Probably not helpful you would think as he explained in a recent interview that he is colour blind.
Of course, amid the debate over the Australian side has been the ICC citing of the South African captain Faf du Plessis after TV footage appeared to show him using a mint he was chewing to assist in shining the ball during the fourth day’s play in the second Test in Hobart.
The ICC ruled the footage showed an artificial substance being transferred to the ball ie ball tampering. Du Plessis has been fined 100 per cent of his match fee – in this day and age of highly paid professional cricketers a slap on the wrist. Ball tampering is one of the most serious offences in cricket, and you have to wonder if the ICC has again proved to be a toothless tiger by not issuing a one- match ban immediately. The captain has incurred three demerit points on his disciplinary record, and a suspension will follow if he reaches four or more demerit points during the next 24 months. Staff need to keep the red frogs and cool mints well out of his reach.
While things are less than ordinary for the Aussies on the paddock, the form slump seems to have generated renewed interest in Test cricket. People are really funny fish sometimes – no interest when we are winning – when we get flogged everyone asks “what’s wrong and how should we fix it?”
No such worries for the Wallabies who downed the French with a second string side last weekend or the all-conquering Kangaroos who were at the top of their game in the final of the Four Nations.
A poor performance from the Kiwis has our NZ cousins asking those same questions about their Rugby League side. The most aggression they showed was during the Hakka.
– Casey
CARRYING ON THE TRADITION
THE Bonner family has a rich history in cricket circles in Stanthorpe and the Southern Downs and beyond over many decades, and now Adam Bonner who was a regular player for South until heading off to university is carving out quite a name for himself playing for St John’s College in the University of Queensland Inter-College Championship Twenty20 competition
In 2013 a serious back injury looked likely to keep Adam out of the game he loves. However, after spinal surgery in 2014 and a long recuperation, he debuted for St John’s first XI as an opening batsman and kept wickets in each game.
In the first game, he scored 45 off 21 balls (including three sixes) against King’s College (winners of the previous four premierships).
St John’s posted 156, and won by 18 runs.
The team went on to defeat St. Leo’s College by 60 runs and posted the highest score in the Inter College T20 history, 242 to defeat Cromwell College (55). They then defeated International House by eight wickets and Union College by six wickets. Bonner finished the season with 189 runs at an average of 37.8. He was one of five players from his team, St John’s rewarded with a place in the Inter-College Team of the Season.
St John’s won the Inter-College Championship and remained undefeated. The club’s first championship in six years and after the most dominant season in the club’s history.
Speaking recently with Adam Bonner he said, “It was a great feeling getting out there playing for St John’s for the first time after sitting on the sidelines for the previous two years. “The win over our main rivals, King’s College, really set the tone for the season and it was good to get amongst the runs.”
Watching Adam’s return to the game with a great deal of interest have been grandfather Peter and brothers Bill and Dick who all have some serious cricketing credentials in Stanthorpe and in the Brisbane competition. The Bonner story doesn’t quite end there with Adam’s younger brother Tom currently playing well in the Stanthorpe competition this season.
DRY CONDITIONS FOR SHOOTERS
RECENT tinder dry conditions restricted the Muzzle loading events at the Inglewood Range on Sunday to Benchrest due to conditions on the trail.
Ray Dudgeon scored a win in the event defeating Stephanie Dudgeon and Graham (Scruffy) Morgan who finished in third spot.
A 25 Metre Standard Pistol event was won by Tom Donald who outscored Peter Jones and Ray Dudgeon.
This weekend the club will be holding normal pistol comps on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
Upcoming events in the lead-up to Christmas include an open day on 10 December where visitors are welcome to attend, and for a fee of $10 will be able to try out a few different firearms. No licence is required, however visitors will be vetted before using a firearm. Everyone is invited to bring a barbecue lunch.
On the day, club members will be shooting for the Christmas prizes.
The following day, 11 December is the Club members Christmas Party. Organisers are hoping for a great roll up on both days, so keep the dates in your calendar of pre-Christmas events.
SUCCESSFUL ROAD TRIP
MARYVALE-CONDAMINE remains undefeated in the Warwick competition after a good win last weekend on their road trip to Inglewood. Inglewood was always going to have the job ahead of them with several of their regular younger players unavailable.
The home side batted first and were dismissed in the 21st over for only 96 as the Maryvale attack took control of the game. Mitch Mack finished the game with the best bowling figures after taking two wickets for four runs in just one over. Dave Walker was as always Mr Consistency, taking 2/17 from his five over spell.
Maryvale Condamine made short work of the run chase, requiring only 10 overs to pass the total. The game ended with Maryvale losing only one wicket for their 130 runs.
Mitch Bourke top-scored with an unbeaten 63 and had good support from Jason Steketee who at the end of the innings was not out 53.
STEELING SPORTERS
IDEAL conditions last Sunday produced another great day at Sporters on Sunday, and Tony Steele came away with a win. Steele played well to defeat runner-up John Walsh. Figuring in the run downs were Aaron Simmers and Marg Locke. Dick Hilton also played well and finished with the best gross. There were no takers for the pin shot on the 12th or the pro pin. Mick Speers picked up the pin shot at the 17th. Terry Byrnes and John Walsh both snuck off with a meat tray.
Tee off this Sunday is once again at the usual time of 7.30-8.30am.
A reminder that the Sporters Christmas Party will be held on Sunday 11 December. A 7am brekkie barbecue will get the day underway with plenty more happening. Organisers looking forward to seeing you all there.
BUSY WITH THE MALLET
IT has been another busy week on the courts at the Stanthorpe Croquet Club. In association croquet games, Jenny Tunbridge and Effey Russell scored a 15-11 win over Joy Newman and Val Richardson. Richardson had the shot of the day from the back line, scoring a hoop and managing to avoid two balls along the way.
Margaret Dickenson played a singles game against Carol Verwey and pegged out 26 to her opponents 17. In this game, Carol had the highest break of three.
Pat Schnoor and Andrea Denkewitz teamed up against Heather Widderick who began the game with a burst of good play however the other pair chased down her score to win 26 – 15. Schnoor had three breaks of three during an entertaining game.
It is great to see that golf croquet has been attracting consistently good numbers recently. Conditions have certainly been far more inviting and games are now starting earlier in an effort to dodge the heat. Last week, groups played doubles and played triples.
In the first group of doubles, Elaine Brown and Val Fancourt partnered to play Pauline Inglis and Dianne Wren and scored a 13-10 win. Elaine Brown top-scored in the game with seven hoops. In the triples group, Marian Castles, played two balls, with her partner Shirley Page and notched up a 10-6 win over Bev Sullivan, Justin Liddy and Teresa Pyne.
Judy Locke arrived late on the scene and that ensured no player had to play two balls in the games after the break.
Teresa Pyne and Val Richardson were led 10 hoops to Bev Sullivan and Marian Castles six to win their next game. The triple combination of Dianne, Elaine and Shirley had a seven hoop to three win over Judy Locke Pauline Inglis and Justin Liddy.
In gateball on Friday, Andrea Denkewitz and Joy Newman teamed up for the first two games as the Red Team and played Margaret Dickenson, Heather Widderick and Les Williams -the White team. The pair had a convincing win in the first game, scoring a 21-9 win over their opponents. Joy Newman played very well, hitting two balls onto the centre pole for maximum points.
The second game was a closer affair, with the White team winning 10 – 8.
After the break, there were some team changes as Andrea Denkewitz teamed up with Les Williams and played the White balls, while Margaret Dickenson, Joy Newman and Heather Widderick played Red. White won the first game 10 – 7, but the Red team hit back in the final game to win 12-10
On Saturday afternoon, Andrea Denkewitz, Margaret Dickenson and Val Fancourt again teamed up this time to play Les Williams and Bill Golding. The ladies played the Red balls and scored a convincing 16 – 8 win in the first game. The tables were turned in the second game with a win 12-10 win to the men. The Ladies however took the honour on the day winning the final game 14 – 10.
WHEATVALE DOMINATE
ALLORA set Wheatvale a handy 178-run chase in their game on the Allora ground last weekend.
In a good batting performance, Mitch McLennan top scored for Allora with 38. Kris Wright (29) and Tom Higgins who remained unbeaten on 28 also made handy contributions to the score.
No surprise that it was Chris Cantwell who was the best of the Wheatvale bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/27 from five. He was well supported by Chris Malone and Chris O’Brien who each finished with a pair.
With 178 on the board, the Allora bowlers has a decent total to defend. Opener Brendan Malone set a good platform for the visitors and finished the innings not out 45.
After a good stint with the ball, Chris Malone scored a quick 70 while Neil Cantwell added an unbeaten 31 as Wheatvale cruised past the required runs for the loss of only two wickets.
Despite the comprehensive win, it was a sensational one-handed catch by Cameron Masters that was the highlight of the game. Masters took a screamer on the boundary to dismiss Carter Bilbrough as he tried to despatch a ball for six.
Although the Wheatvale batsmen dominated the ball, Sean Bryson and Mick Laughren both bowled well in the beaten side.
STATE TITLE SUCCESS
THEY travelled, they conquered and they bought home two State Titles. Rose City Boxing Club’s Jacko McMahon and Jake Wyllie both competed in last weekend’s State Title at Acacia Ridge and returned home State Title Holders after impressive performances.
On Friday night, Jake Wyllie won a unanimous points decision in his bout and progressed to the final of the 60kg junior division on Saturday. He received another unanimous decision to claim in his fight and claim the title.
Jacko McMahon went straight into the final, dominating his opponent with some strong overhand left hooks to successfully defend his Title.
The wins capped off an outstanding year for the two young boxers who have been great ambassadors for the Rose City Boxing Club and the sport both in and out of the ring. Head trainer Damien Lawler described the wins as “awesome” with McMahon retaining his Queensland title and Wyllie winning his second state title after first winning in 2014.
The State Titles are the boy’s final state tournament as juniors. They now move into the youth division.
Following his win, Wyllie has been selected to captain Darling Downs Country in a battle against City on Saturday night at a Smithy promotion at Rumours in Toowoomba.
He will then take a short break from the competition. Jacko McMahon will have also take a break from competition for two months but both will keep up their training regime during that time. In other Rose City Club news, Britnee Wallace has been invited to the AIS in Canberra for a 2018 Commonwealth Games Development Camp.
COLTS TOO GOOD
COLTS who are club best form were too strong for Sovereign Animals On Sunday.
Colts continue to impress this season. Against Animals they set their opponents a big target of 240 after struggling early at 2/34 after Geoff Thorley was dismissed cheaply and Sean McKendry was run out.
A 100-run partnership from Nick Baker and Maugan Benn set the ship back on course. Nick Baker who has been coaxed back to play regularly showed his entire class top-scoring with 70 off just 77 deliveries.
Sovereign Animals had a tough challenge and while some of their youngsters batted well, they always looked behind the eight ball as the experienced bowling attack of Colts got the upper hand. A gutsy effort from the batsmen did however prevent Colts from claiming a bonus point to add to their winning points.
HOT ROUNDS
STANTHORPE golfers played a Stableford event last weekend, sponsored by club member Eric McLellan, and there were some hot round and great scores returned.
Playing off a zero handicap, Dylan Barraclough, had a round of 66 to finish six under par for the day and recorded 42 points to lead the men’s event.
His round included six birdies and two eagles for the day. He also collected the three pro-pins at 1/10, 5/14 and 9/18.
Mike McAuliffe held on after a three-way countback to take out runner-up prize with 41 points. Peter O’Loughlin, a visiting player from Wantima, and Bill Pyne, both with 41 points, collected a ball in the run down.
The ladies event was won by Dale Minchenton who had a round of 79 off the stick, 12 better than her ALGU handicap, for 48 points.
Minchenton’s front nine was steady but her back nine was par for the nine holes, 36 off the stick which included three birdies. Nikki Waterworth had next best round of 33 points to claim runner-up.
Pin shots for the men went to Santo Cavallaro at three, Ian Pickering at 12 and David Reeves at 17. Helen Jones collected the ladies pin at three and Linda Kelly had best approach at 17. The Birdies nest at seven was shared by David Reeves and Dale Minchenton.
This Saturday, there is golf in the afternoon and will be followed by the club Christmas celebration after presentation.
During the evening, winners of ‘Golfer of the Year’ will be announced. The competition runs throughout the season with players earning points for consistency. Both the men’s and the ladies event are again sponsored by local businesses. The Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Motel, sponsor of the men’s event and Gracious Giving, sponsor of the ladies’ event.
Play on Saturday will be a medley 4BBB Stableford with tee off at 11.45am in a shotgun start. Registration must be completed by 11.30am. It is also the Delaney Family Golf Day, an event started as the Kev Delaney Memorial day in recognition Kev Delaney’s service to the club in mentoring junior golf and general involvement in golf in Stanthorpe.