Waves early tilt at cricket win

ATW’s Sean Stuchbery looking unusually orthodox at the crease.

Max Fleet

BUNDABERG is still in rugby league mode, but a few keen cricketers have taken the opportunity to get a hit in before it all kicks in to gear again.

While it is all a bit of hit and giggle, there is enough money and bragging rights up for grabs in the Maryborough pre-season Twenty20 competition to make it semi-serious business.

Two semi-finals on Sunday morning will decide the finalists and by day's end a winner will be crowned.

Across The Waves have been competing against Maryborough and Hervey Bay's best and they believe they have what it takes to bring the spoils back to Bundaberg.

Self-confessed big-hitter, greenkeeper and weather forecaster Sean Stuchbery predicts the gloomy weather will clear today and provide the ultimate theatre for Sunday's big bash.

“We're in with a show,” he said.

“I think whoever wins in our semi would be the favourite to take the title.”

They face 2008 and 2009 champions Australs in the semi-final, with Bushrangers against Brothers in the other game.

Waves will enter the clash without middle order talisman Lachlan Donovan, bowler Liam Denning and all-rounder Chris Duff.

“We'll miss those guys, but we still have Prossy (Brendan Prossliner) and Dean Marles who can really hit a ball,” Stuchbery said.

Country Wests batsman Dan Faulkner has also been playing, and has been forced to fend off rumours he will join the club in the new season.

Stuchbery, a die-hard sporting enthusiast stressed that a bus had been booked and the beers would be chilled for the return trip home.

“We made sure of that one before we booked it,” he said.