INSIDE THIS EDITION - Queensland Cricket

WATSON PONTING JOHNSONINSIDE THIS EDITION* All*Stars Blockbuster* Windies’ Test Weapons* Meet Glen Batticiotto* Fire Set To Light Up* Bic’s PNG Crusade* Grade Season Hots UpGrant Sullivan* Futures League PromiseTAYLORBRAVOCHANDERPAULThe OfficialE-Magazine ofQueensland CricketNovember 2009

PLENTY OF EXCITEMENTAS WINDIES HIT TOWNEdition 43, November 2009CONTENTS2 ‘Leading the Charge’ –with Graham Dixon4 Windies’ Weapons5 Blast From The Past6 Gabba Test History7 Dine With The Aces8 All*Stars To Sparkle9 Tour Match Delights10 Bulls Standings11 Batti’s Ton Of Fun13 Fire Catch Alight15 Bic Backs PNG18 Grade Wrap19 QAS Review20 Calendar of Events“Between the Wickets”is the official E-Newsletterof Queensland CricketEditors: Ron McDonald,Stephen Gray, Peter BlucherPhotos: SMP Images &Bob Jones PhotographyQueensland Cricket1 Bogan StBreakfast Creek, Q, 4010Ph: (07) 3292 3100Email: qldc@qldcricket.com.auQC website: qldcricket.com.auThe West Indies have hada long history of entertainingthe crowds ontheir ever popular toursof Australia and recentform would suggest to methat will be the caseagain in 2009-10.While some people arehappy to write off theWindies, they do so attheir peril.It’s not that long ago –earlier this year in fact -that the Windies beatEngland at home in theCaribbean. It was a toughand at times spectacularseries that saw the WestIndies gain plenty of respectfor the spine theyshowed.The Windies later headedto England for a hastilyarrangedtour that heraldedthe rise in the players’dispute with theircricket board, and did notperform as well.Chris GayleTaking that out of theequation due to the politicsinvolved, the Windiesbeat the Poms on theirhome dig and we wentand played the Poms overthere and got beaten, sothat’s not bad form.If you remember back 18months, the Windies gaveus a fair scrap in the Caribbeanand came out ofthat series with theirheads held high, even ifAustralia retained the SirFrank Worrell Trophy.I am most eager to seehow the first 3 mobileTest unfolds at the Gabbain a little over a fortnight.It is Test match cricketand they’ve got a coupleof blokes who can reallyhurt you.There will be some fascinatingsidelights to theTest, none more than twoformer housemates fromThe Gap eyeing off eachother.Brendan Nash and MitchJohnson were greatmates as young contractedBulls players andclubmates at Norths.Brendan has done an outstandingjob to win andmaintain a Test cap forthe West Indies whileMitch has developed intothe No.1 spearhead of theAustralian attack. I wonderwho will ‘clean up’?The Test is the centrepieceof a wonderful weekof cricket in south-eastQueensland. The All*StarTwenty20 match at theGabba on Sunday 22 Novemberwill essentially bea ‘season launch’ for theinternational summer inAustralia.It is an exciting way tostart the season for us asit’s our only opportunityto have that class ofTwenty20 match playedin Queensland this year.There’s no internationalTwenty20 for us thisyear, so people interestedin that form of the gameshould make sure theyget a ticket for this one.Some of the classiestnames in Australiancricket will be there and itmay well be the last opportunityfor Queenslandersto see Shane Warne,Continued Page 3

FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (continued) 3From Page 2Glenn McGrath, MatthewHayden and Adam Gilchristin action. Certainlyit may well be the lasttime they all play togetherin the same sideas part of the ACAJohnnie WalkerAll*Stars.The Australian Cricketers’Association andCricket Australia havedone exceptionally wellto get them here and Ihope the sports-lovingpublic of Queenslandrecognize that and comealong to appreciate theirskills.It is all part of makingthe first Test in Brisbanean iconic event in themould of the Boxing DayTest in Melbourne andNew Year Test in Sydney.When you take intoaccount the multitude ofBen Cuttingand the Bullshave beenappealing.events that week suchas the All*Star Fan Day,cocktail party and assortmentof Test breakfasts,lunches and dinners,you realise theTest is an important partof the economy of whatcricket can do for theState.It is a great time forcricket, especially sowith the XXXX GOLDBulls having made sucha positive start to theseason. The people whoset the markets had usat pretty liberal odds,but we were quietly confidentabout this band ofquality young men.We have watched themquietly work their buttsoff for many months tobe ready and willing togive their all and look todevelop their own placein Queensland history.They are working to takethe opportunities thatare undoubtedly there,not just at State level,but the door is ajar atthe national level aswell, if not wide open.It is extremely pleasingto see their efforts andthat of the coaching staffand support staff payearly dividends. It is along summer, and theyare mostly young and inexperiencedplayers, sothat’s another challenge.But I can guarantee youone thing, they have gottheir heads screwed onthe right way, theseboys.They also have got thehighest quality leadership– without question Ithink Chris Simpson isthe No.1 captain of allthe States. He is an impressiveyoung man withthe way he leads histeammates around, andworks perfectly with theoff-field guidance of theold 100-gamer TrevorBarsby.Our women have justbegun their representativecommitments and itis a very different landscapenow - you can seethe Konica Minolta Fireplayers are extremelyexcited about the factthey have a longer summernow and get to playcompetition Twenty20cricket.I get to speak to themas they come throughsigning their contracts inwinter and it struck mewhat a bright group ofyoung women they are.You get the feeling theteam is in good shape,and once again benefitfrom terrific leadershipin the form of our Australiancaptain JodieFields.QUEENSLAND CRICKET - MAJOR CORPORATE PARTNERS

3 MOBILE TEST xxxx MATCH 4WINDIES WHEEL OUT WEAPONSTEST MATCHINFORMATIONTOURING SQUADChris Gayle (capt)Adrian BarathSulieman BennDwayne BravoShivnarine ChanderpaulNarsingh DeonarineTravis DowlinBrendan NashDenesh RamdinRavi RampaulKemar RoachDarren SammyRamnaresh SarwanJerome TaylorGavin TongeDwayne BravoExciting fast bowler GavinTonge (right) leapfrogged anumber of more experiencedrivals to claim a placein the West Indies squad forthe 3 mobile Test seriesagainst Australia.Tonge, 26, burst into prominencewith a stunning spellof 4-25 against Pakistan forthe third-rate West Indiesoutfit that contested theChampions Trophy tournamentin South Africa lastmonth.Until last season he hadbeen a largely unfulfilled talent,but the Antiguan – whomade his first class debut asa 19-year-old – grabbed 44wickets at 25.09 in the domesticcompetition to makethe national selectors sit upand take notice.Tonge isexpectedto openthe bowlingin thefirst 3mobileTest attheGabba on26 Novemberalongside JeromeTaylor. Regular fast bowlerFidel Edwards injured hisknee in the recent ChampionsLeague competition andhas been ruled out of playingbefore Christmas.They will be complementedby the skilful Dwayne Bravo,who has emerged as themost destructive Twenty20all-rounder in world cricketthis year. Bravo has onlyjust turned 26 and is enteringthe peak of his career,with 31 Tests behind him.He already boasts two centuriesand 70 Test wickets,with seven hauls of four orfive wickets.With top class batsmenShivnarine Chanderpaul,Ramnaresh Sarwan andChris Gayle, and worldratedkeeper Denesh Ramdinin their midst, theWindies boast more firepowerthan many are expecting.There are likely to be fourQueenslanders involved inthe Test, but none will berecognised as such. BrendanNash, Mitchell Johnson,Shane Watson and NathanHauritz left the State forvarious reasons, but will nodoubt get plenty of support.Thurs 26-Mon 30 NovPlay Starts 10amGates Open 8.30amPre-purchase tickets on1300 136 122, ticketmaster.com.auor any Ticketmasteroutlet. Ticketsprovide free public transportto the game.Please allow time for bagsearches prior to entry.Not Allowed - alcohol,glass bottles, cans andmetal knives, back-packs,camel packs, hard eskies,items regarded as offensive,projectiles, musicalinstruments, recordingequipment for commercialpurposes, deliveries fromexternal caterers.More info: bulls.com.au

3 MOBILE TEST MATCH 5A BLAST FROM THE PASTA SUPER TESTMATCH LUNCHAny Australian batsmenwho may be thinking theyare in for a comfortabletime against the West Indiesin Brisbane thismonth had better not lookat the DVD of the firstTest match in Jamaicalast February.If they do, they mightjust start to sweat a littleas they watch EnglishmenKevin Pietersen, PaulCollingwood and MattPrior’s stumps going cartwheelingthrough the airlike spinning tomahawks.Jerome Taylor lets fly at the bowling crease.As esteemed cricketwriter Mike Selvey wrotein the Guardian after thestunning events of 7 February:“This was a throwback- this was the glorydays revisited, those halcyontimes for West Indiescricket when Michaeland Malcolm, Andy andthe Big Bird, Patto,Crofty, Courtney, Ambyand Bish were in their ferocious,irresistiblepomp”.He listed the great WestIndian fast bowlers afterJerome Taylor had bowlednine breathtaking oversat breakneck speed tosnare 5-11 and destroyEngland’s second inningsfor just 51.Taylor is still only 25 andcan only get better. Hehas taken 81 wickets in28 Tests at the modestaverage of 35.55, but isset to lead the attack inAustralia.A handy lower-orderbatsman, he already possessesa blazing Test centuryagainst New Zealandin 2008.But it is his bowling onwhich the West Indieshopes will rest heavily.He has only sporadicallyproduced the kind ofmagic that he did in hishometown nine monthsago, but he and his teammatesare aware of whathe is capable.Selvay was certainly tranfixedby Taylor’s stunningspell against England.After Sabina Park hadconstantly erupted in acacophany of soundthrough the Taylor tornado,he wrote: “It was,Michael Holding has said,thus when he capped themost famous fast over inhistory by uprooting theoff-stump of GeoffreyBoycott one day in Barbados.Fleetingly maybe,but for an afternoon, theglory days returned.”Will Brisbane be taken ona similar trip down memorylane?High profilemembers ofthe AustralianandWest Indianteams willbe in attendancefor one of the biggestcorporate lunches ofthe year on Tuesday 24November at the BrisbaneExhibition & ConventionCentre.The biggest names incricket feature at this annualevent, which previewsthe Gabba Test andthe summer fare to come.The afternoon includes athree-course lunch, apanel discussion withAustralian team members,an interview with aWest Indian star and entertainmentby renownedcomedian Vince Sorrenti.Tickets: $150 (last year’sfunction sold out).Bookings: 3292 3119

AUSTRALIA-WEST INDIES TESTS AT THE GABBA 6675HUGE AUSSSIE WINThe last Test at the BrisbaneCricket Ground inNovember 2005 sawAustralia romp to a 379-run victory.collapsed for 129, BrianLara making just 14 togo with his first innings30 in his last Test at theGabba. Lee (5-30) andBracken (4-48) did thedamage.FINE RECORDTO CONTINUE?Steve Waugh, Healymounted a huge rescuemission with a breathtaking161 not out. Hehit 20 fours during his250-ball stay that helpedhis country to 479.Australia was fortunatethat Ricky Ponting couldmake a stoic 149 as theystruggled to 7-294 beforeShane Warne (47),Brett Lee (47) and NathanBracken (37)helped the home team to435.West Indian openerDevon Smith made 88out of 210 as ShaneWarne (5-48) and GlennMcGrath (4-72) cut downthe batting order.Ponting made an unbeaten104 in the secondinnings and hometownhero Matt Hayden 118 asAustralia declared at 2-283, the West Indian attackof Fidel Edwards,Daren Powell, JermaineLawson and Corey Collymorefailing to make animpact.The West Indies thenMcGRATH MAYHEMIt was a similar destructionin the 2000-01 series,where GlennMcGrath monstered thebatsmen.The champion pacemanfinished with match figuresof 33 overs 21maidens 10 for 27 in anextraordinary performance.Australia won the tossand the Windies wishedthey hadn’t, being rolledfor 82 and losing theirlast 8-29. McGrath took6-17 off 20 overs, includingLara for a duck.Six career Tests playerMarlon Black rocked Australiaand had them 7-220, before Brett Lee(62no) pushed the scoreon to 332 all out. Blackfinished with 4-83 andMervyn Dillon grabbed 3-79.The Windies batsmenfared little better secondtime around, crashing tobe all out for 124.McGrath got Lara for justfour, with only ShivChanderpaul (62no) resisting.Australia went on toachieve their first 5-0whitewash of a Sir FrankWorrell Series in 69years.HEALY’S HEROICSCrowd favourite IanHealy made the 1996-97Gabba Test his own,playing a lead role inAustralia’s 123-run victory.With Australia waveringat 5-196 despite 88 fromRicky Ponting and 66 byGlenn McGrathand son James.Carl Hooper and ShivChanderpaul added 172for the fourth wicket, butthe visitors last sevenwickets fell for 28 asthey capitulated for 277.Paul Reiffel took 4-58,with McGrath againclaiming Lara for 26.Australia scratched to 6-217 in their second inningswith Mark Waughmaking 57 and Healy 45not out, the attack ofCurtly Ambrose, CourtneyWalsh, Ian Bishopand Kenny Benjaminonly occasionally dangerous.Opener SherwinCampbell made 113 andfive of the top order includingLara (44) gotstarts, but the visitorsfell for 296. McGrathclaimed 4-60 andunlikely left-arm spinnerMichael Bevan 3-46.Continued page 7

AUSTRALIA-WEST INDIES TESTS AT THE GABBA 7From page 6RAIN HURTS LOCALSAustralia’s dominance ofthe West Indies since themid-1990s could have beguneven earlier had theybeen able to finish off theirlong-time tormentors inthe opening Test of the1992-93 series.The visitors were hangingon for grim death at 8-133in their second inningswhen the game was called,chasing 230 for victory.Australia won the nextTest, but would lose thelast two in the face of afierce onslaught fromCurtly Ambrose and IanBishop, and a terriblePerth wicket.Queensland star Allan Borderwas desperate to captainhis country to a serieswin, and he made 73 beforebeing run out in thefirst innings as Australiamade a competitive 293,off-spinner Carl Hooper theunlikely wicket-taker with4-93.Craig McDermott celebrates a Test victim at the GabbaA classy 157 not out byKeith Arthurton put theWindies in control with a78-run lead, Bruce Reidhaving taken 5-112.David Boon clouted 111and Mark Waugh 60 asAustralia made 308 a secondtime, Ambrose snaring5-66.Craig McDermott tookthree quick wickets to reducethe visitors to 4-9,but captain Richie Richardsonheld out for 235 minutesfor 66 and CarlHooper 125 minutes for32, then a resolute 16 notout in 107 minutes fromBishop saw their side tosafety – just.THE LAST LOSSAustralia’s last loss againstthe West Indies at theGabba was 21 years ago,in November of 1988.While the visitors possessedan awesome bowlingattack in the form ofMalcolm Marshall, CurtlyAmbrose, Courtney Washand Patrick Patterson,Australian spearhead CraigMcDermott had newcomerChris Matthews for company,and medium pacersTony Dodemaide andSteve Waugh to assist.Australia won the toss andbatted, and the Windiespace attack was morethan happy. No.3 MikeVeletta top scored with 37as Australia were shot outfor 167, Walsh taking 4-62and Ambrose 3-30.Opening greats GordonGreenidge (80) and DesmondHaynes (40) put on135 for the first wicketand Viv Richards belted 68off 78 balls as the visitorsmade an imposing 394.In reply, Steve Waugh dugin for a brave 90 off 167balls, but his team couldmuster just 289. Marshall(4-92), Ambrose (3-78)and Walsh (3-61) took thewickets. The visitors polishedoff the 63 runs requiredfor victory with theloss of a solitary wicket.DINE WITH STARSSuperstars of the gameGlenn McGrath, JustinLanger, Matt Hayden, JasonGillespie and IanHealy will be the specialguests at one of the everpopularQC/4BC TestMatch Breakfasts on 26and 27 November.The Breakfasts combinefirst class entertainmentwith an expert insightinto the summer ahead.They're a great opportunityto get to the Gabbaearly and beat the crowdsand enjoy a sumptuousbreakfast while listeningto former internationalplayers and sporting identities.Prices are $88 for breakfastonly or $123 forbreakfast and a ticket.Bookings: 3292 3119

A number of Queenslanderswill be in contentionfor the showpiece All*StarTwenty20 game whichalso features a quartet ofAustralian greats on Sunday22 November.The Australian selectorswill have a full contingentof domestic cricketers tochoose from with noShield or Ford Ranger Cupmatches scheduled aroundthe date.It is a welcome changefrom last season, whenQueensland was involvedin a Weet-Bix SheffieldShield game and no Bullsplayers were available.The XXXX GOLD Bulls willbe coming off a four-dayTour match against theWest Indies, but thatshould not discount anyplayers, particularly thebatsmen.The selectors are sure tobe mindful of the hugeworkload on the nationalplayers and a number offringe players are expectedto be included inINTERNATIONAL SUMMER OF CRICKET LAUNCH 78LOCALS IN THEMIX FOR BIGGABBA SHOWDate: Sun 22 NovemberVenue: The GabbaTime: 6.35pmGates Open: 5pmPrices: (from) $20 adult,$45 familythe Australian XI, not justto top up the ACA JohnnieWalker All*Stars. Younggun Nathan Reardon andShane Warne in actionfor his RajasthanRoyals team.the supremely talentedLee Carseldine shouldboth be in the mix, withReardon’s blazing 55 underpressure in the Bulls’last Ford Ranger Cupmatch typical of his ability.Reardon hit 12 sixesin last summer’s KFCTwenty20 Big Bash, twomore than his nearest rival.Carseldine averaged astaggering 99.33 in thesame competition, wonthe competition player ofthe year award, and mustbe considered a bigchance for the All*Stars.Young pace wiz Scott Walterhas taken domesticcricket by storm this summerand could be a‘smokey’, while Bulls skipperChris Simpson – withhis batting, bowling andcatching – and wicketkeeperChris Hartley alsohave strong claims.The big thrill for all playersselected will be to playalongside or against fourlegends of the game -Shane Warne, GlennMcGrath, Matthew Haydenand Adam Gilchrist – whowill turn out for the ACAJohnnie Walker All*Stars.ALL*STARFAN DAYIt’s a huge day forcricket in south-eastQueensland on Sunday22 November, with thebig night time Twenty20preceded by theAll*Star Fan Day in themorning.There will be a largenumber of attractionsincluding rides, the Milocricket nets, the GoldenArm speed gun, a numberof Australian playerssigning autographsand much more.The action starts at 9amand runs through to11.30am at Allan BorderField.Entry is completely free,with free off-road parkingin the Albion ParkRaceway right nextdoor.Both are accessedthrough Bogan Street.

A WORLDCLASSTEST FOROUR BOLDBULLSA total of six members ofthe West Indies team willhave experienced theunique features of AllanBorder Field when the Caribbeanside clashes withQueensland in a four-daymatch from Wednesday 18to Saturday 21 November.Left-handed batsmanBrendan Nash was rearedat the ground as a fiveyearmember of the XXXXGOLD Bulls squad, but fiveof his teammates played atAlbion the last time theWindies visited in 2005.Incumbent skipper ChrisGayle belted 58 at the topof the order, while worldNo.2 batsman ShivChanderpaul made 41 beforebeing stumped byChris Hartley.ALLAN BORDER FIELD TOUR MATCH 10 9Play 10am-5pm. Adults $8, concession $2, children U/16 free.Fellow quality batsmanRamnaresh Sarwan wasdismissed in similar modefor 37. Star all-rounderDwayne Bravo and keeperDenesh Ramdin are theother two members of thesquad to have been involvedlast time.The game featured a stunningknock of 257 by MarlonSamuels, while ChrisSimpson snared 4-173 off39 overs for the Bulls.Martin Love hit 55 and 108for the home side, andSamuels capped a memorablegame with 5-87 inthe second innings.On reflection, Queensland’sattack was starstuddedwith Mitch Johnson,Michael Kasprowicz,Shane Watson, AndrewSymonds and JamesHopes all outstanding internationalplayers.A number of the Bulls willbe hoping that the currentattack will be viewed justas favourably in 2013.Ben Cutting and Scott Walterhave developed enormouslyin 2009-10 andcould relish testing theirrapidly-improving skillsagainst international competition.Free parking in Albion Raceway.While Lee Carseldine hasbeen ignored by the nationalselectors despite astunning season in allthree forms of the gamelast summer, he has begunbrilliantly again in 09-10 and another strong performancewill give supporterseven more ammunition.Carseldine and emergingopener Ryan Broad, a manwho is on the national selectionpanel radar, willenjoy batting at the venue.The small boundaries andgrassed outer ‘hill’ at AllanBorder Field make forspectacular batting, althoughthe pitch has beenmuch more sporting sincethe centre block was relaidtwo seasons ago.WATCH THEGAME INCOMFORTSpectators have thechoice of watching Qld vWest Indies from theleafy, grassy knolls ofAllan Border Field, or thequaint grandstands at theground.A grandstand seat can bereserved by purchasing a$99 dining package onthe Friday and Saturday.The package includes atraditional buffet lunch,morning and afternoontea, parking, and gate entry.There is also the optionof remaining in the airconditionedCaptain’sRoom.Inquiries: 3292 3155

XXXX GOLD QUEENSLAND BULLS 12 10BRIGHT START BY GUTSY BULLSA dynamic start by the unheraldedXXXX GOLD Bullshas them well-placed tocontend for both the onedayand four-day crownsafter the opening month ofan unusual season.Victoria and New SouthWales have only just beguntheir campaigns followingtheir participation inthe Airtel ChampionsLeague Twenty20, whilethe Bulls have got off to aflyer.The bowling attack hasdone an outstanding jobwith young guns ScottWalter and Ben Cuttingtopping the Weet-Bix SheffieldShield wicket countand the wily Chris Swan infifth place with six wicketsat 23.00 from one lessmatch.WEET-BIX SHEFFIELD SHIELD TABLETeam P WO WI LO LI Pts QuotQld Bulls 2 1 1 8 1.380Sth Aust 2 1 1 6 1.197Victoria 1 1 2 1.470Wst Aust 2 1 1 2 0.549NSW 1 1 0 0.769Tas 2 2 0 0.520TOP RUNSCORERS – SHIELD262: Daniel Harris (SA) @ 65.50248: James Smith (SA) @ 62.00235: Wes Robinson (WA) @ 117.50195: Brad Hodge (Victoria) @ 195.00FORD RANGER CUP174: Lee Carseldine (Qld) 174 @ 43.50170: Chris Hartley (Qld) 170 @ 56.66156: Brad Hodge (Vic) 156 @ 156.00154: Wes Robinson (WA) 154 @ 51.33Improved batting has beena feature of the Spring,with plenty of support beingprovided to the everconsistentLee Carseldine.Keeper Chris Hartley hascontributed 153 runs at76.50.Opener Ryan Broad hascontributed 147 runs at49.00, including a qualitycentury in Perth, whileGlen Batticciotto made aton against Tasmania andhas been impressive inscoring 114 runs at 57.00.Skipper Chris Simpson has99 runs at 49.50 in astrong start to the seasonwith bat, ball and his captaincy.The Bulls are in the middleof a top-of-the-table clashwith SA on a flat-bed AdelaideOval wicket, andFORD RANGER CUP TABLETeam P W L BPts Pts Net R/RQld Bulls 4 3 1 1 13 0.476Victoria 2 2 8 0.497NSW 1 1 1 5 1.438Tas 3 1 2 4 0.096Wst Aust 3 1 2 4 -0.493Sth Aust 3 3 0 -1.089TOP WICKET-TAKERS — SHIELD13: Scott Walter (Qld) @ 26.2311: Ben Cutting (Qld) @ 22.459: Brett Geeves (Tas) @ 23.009: Dan Christian (SA) @ 24.55FORD RANGER CUP9: Nathan Rimmington (Qld) @ 14.008: Ben Cutting (Qld) @ 20.507: Xavier Doherty (Qld) @ 16.286: Brendan Drew (Tas) @ 22.50travel to Alice Springs for aSaturday clash with theRedbacks in the FordRanger Cup.Another win will take themwell clear of arch rivalsVictoria.

Composed left-handerGlen Batticciotto has madean auspicious start to hisfirst class career, playing avaluable knock in his debutin Perth and then craftinga game-breaking centuryin his second.Drafted into the XXXXGOLD Bulls one-day lineupearly last season andhaving played a key role inthe Ford Ranger Cup finalvictory, the 28-year-oldwas given first chance atshoring up a middle orderberth in the Weet-BixSheffield Shield side thisseason.He has not disappointed.Batting at No.5 against WAin his only innings on 15October, Batticciotto spent86 minutes at the creasefending off the second newball against Warriors giantsBrett Dorey, AshleyNoffke and Steve Magoffin.Having done all the hardwork, he edged a catchbehind off Brad Knowles.“It was a great ground tostart your four-day careeroff, although you can’t getmuch further away,” Batticciottosaid. “No-one gotthe chance to make theirway over because both myparents were working –they kept tabs on me onthe internet instead.“I was a little bit nervousXXXX GOLD QUEENSLAND BULLS 12 11NEWCOMER ‘BATTI’ SHOWS TON OF CLASSGlen Batticciotto in action in his WACA debut last month.taking strike but once I gotoff the mark and the gameprogressed my confidencegrew, and it was somethingI really cherishedand really enjoyed.“My job was to see off thenew ball and go on fromthere. I did the majority ofthe job – just when thenew ball started losing itsshine that’s unfortunatelywhen I got out. But I reallyenjoyed the experience.”It was an interesting situationfor the longtime Sandgate-Redcliffestar, whohad faced Noffke and Magoffinregularly in PremierGrade cricket.“They were the best bowlersin the team, but thistime I had all three ofthem who are all ‘best’bowlers coming at me,”Batticciotto said. “That’sthe difference in four-daycricket, you don’t getmuch to hit.“It’s a massive difference.You really have to sweaton a bad delivery, whichdoesn’t come along veryoften. You’ve got to reallybe able to capitalize onthat. That’s something I’vetaken out of the twogames that I’ve played.You have to play verystraight and be very patient.”In Batticciotto’s secondgame against Tasmania atthe Gabba, he strode tothe wicket with Queenslandwobbling at 3-57 andthen 4-60 after the Tigershad been rolled for 156 ona seaming deck.He added 176 with ChrisHartley to turn a line-ballsituation into an ultimateinnings victory for thehome side, going on tomake 101 before beingbowled by Jason Krejza.His vigil took 328 minutesand he faced 241 balls,hitting 15 fours.“It was a huge thrill, especiallybeing at the Gabba,”Batticciotto said. “There’sbeen a lot said about theGabba and how you’ve gotto really be patient therebecause there’s quite a lotmore movement thanother States.“That was obviously in theback of my mind when Iwent out there. I was justContinued Page 12

XXXX GOLD QUEENSLAND BULLS 12From Page 11really happy that I gotthrough and got the hundredon the board.”To do so with the team underextreme pressuremade the innings evenbetter.“I was happy with the firstday when I had to survivea 10-over period untilstumps and that gave mea little more confidencegoing into the next day,”Batticciotto said. “I understoodthe wicket a bitmore with the shots Icould and couldn’t play,and that set up my innings.I was in the 90s fora little while because Ikept on getting singles - Ididn’t get a boundary inthe 90s. I didn’t feel like Iwas getting a lot of pressureon me, so it didn’tfeel like the nervous 90sas it has done on occasionsin the past.“The only time I got nervouswas when I was on 99,but I was lucky enough toget a little inside edgeGlen Batticciotto aknowledges thecrowd after scoring his debut firstclass century at the Gabba.down to fine leg for two.You take them how theycome.”The early century gave theone-time national under19 representative plenty ofbelief in his ability to playat the top level.“If you can score runs atthe Gabba, you’d like tothink you can score themanywhere else. Itgave me the self beliefthat I needed,” hesaid.A useful left-arm mediumpacer, Batticciottowas given anextended bowl in hisdebut game to restthe strike bowlers inWA’s second innings.“It was great. A fewof the boys were injuredbut it was goodto know they had theconfidence to throwme the ball whenthey needed anotheroption,” he said.He finished with thetidy figures of 15-3-37-1, capturing thewicket of opener LukeTowers caught by skipperChris Simpson.Batticciotto is enjoying thecamaraderie, and winningfeeling, inside the Bullscamp. “We’ve got quite ayoung side and the factthat we get on really helpsus perform out on thefield,” he said.LEARN MORE ABOUT BULLSThe new-look XXXX GOLDBulls have produced anumber of outstandingperformances at the startof 09-10, but who exactlyare these guys?Find out more about thelikes of gun pacemenScott Walter and Ben Cuttingand rising batsmanGlen Batticciotto in theSixty Seconds With sectionof bulls.com.auCOLUMNS GIVE INSIGHTGet all the inside informationfrom the coalface ofthe XXXX GOLD Bullsdressing room throughthe team’s regular newspapercolumnists.The more experiencedplayers such as skipperChris Simpson and wilyseamer Chris Swan alsogiven an interesting insightinto their character.The videos have been superblyproduced and discussan number of topicssuch as the funniest incidentseen on a cricketfield, best players,schools and much more.Courtesy of NathanReardon and the SunshineCoast Daily, Chris Swanand The Gold Coast Bulletin,and Chris Hartley andMX, their weekly insightsare reproduced on bulls.com.au every Saturday,Tuesday and Friday respectively.Each makes forfascinating reading.

WOMEN’S NATIONAL CRICKET LEAGUE 13FIRE PRIMED TO TURN UP HEATThere is a sense of quietconfidence in the KonicaMinolta Queensland Firecamp as they embark on athree-month journeythrough the new-lookWomen’s National CricketLeague competitions.The squad has workedparticularly hard on theirfielding skills through winterin an effort to maximizethe chances thatcome their way, and theteam’s impressive effortswith their catching andthrowing in the openingTwenty20 against Tasmaniaon 31 October is apositive pointer to thecampaign ahead.The Fire will know in afortnight’s time exactlywhere they stand with theheavyweights in both the50-over and 20-over competitions,having met longtimedominators NSW lastweekend on enemy soiland travelling to Victoriafor a triple-header on 20-The Konica Minolta QueenslandFire have never won aWNCL title. They came agonizinglyclose four seasonsago when they failed by tworuns against NSW in the decidingfinal. With a developingblend of youth and experience,they could be thecompetition ‘smokey’ in2009-10…21-22 November. Firecoach Joanne Broadbent,now in her seventh seasonat the helm, has notlooked at setting targetsfor her team to finish onthe competition tables.“I haven’t focused a lot onoutcomes with the players,it has been more about thebasics - coaching them underpressure with decisionmakingdrills,” Broadbentsaid. “If the players all improvethrough this, thenthe final result takes careof itself.”The Fire’s fielding wassloppy at times last summerdespite an emphasisJess Jonassenon it, and Broadbent andher staff have redoubledtheir efforts in that regardthrough winter.“The players have takenon a bit more responsibilityand we’ve done a combinationof not just the decision-makingstuff, butvolume as well,” Broadbentsaid of fielding practice.“We’ve done more with it.We always have the issueof light, but rather thanget in the nets early anduse the daylight, we’veused it a lot more for fielding.”Broadbent is confident thatthe Fire squad has the capabilitiesto perform well inboth the one-day andbrand new Twenty20 competitionsthis summer.“We have quite a strongbowling line-up – twoquicks, three or four mediumsand two spinners –which gives us a lot of variety,”she said. “The difficultywith that is the captainhas got to make certaindecisions on whenpeople bowl, but it’s goodto have competitivenesswithin that bowling group.“We have some qualitybatters and bowlers whocan bat, so the strengthand depth in both departmentssuits each form ofthe game pretty well.”While youngsters Jess Jonassenand Selena Taintonwere standouts last yearand a then-teenage DelissaKimmince the yearbefore, the experiencedbrigade are also primed forbig seasons.Opener Melissa Bulow,now into her 12 th WNCLseason, is a former internationalwho has twice ledthe league runscoring. Shewas solid last year.“This is the most relaxed Ihave seen her and shelooks like she is really enjoyingher cricket and havingfun - I would suggestContinued page 14

FIRE PRIMED TOCATCH ALIGHTFrom page 13she is in for a pretty goodseason,” Broadbent said.“Kirsten Pike is anotherone. She didn’t play a lotlast season due to injuryand probably has got highexpectations of herself toperform this year. She’sdone a bit of work on herbowling in the off-seasonwith her length and variations.”Pike was the world’s bestfast-medium bowler twoyears ago and she willback-up the ultraconsistentJude Coleman.“Jude can do a lot with theball when it’s new andwe’ve decided she willopen – that is always agood time to use someonewho is such a competitor,”Broadbent said of theright-armer who took nineWOMEN’S NATIONAL CRICKET LEAGUEwickets in two gamesagainst NSW in the 05-06finals series.Broadbent immediatelytagged the Breakers as theteam to beat, which is notsurprising considering theyhave won 11 of the 13WNCL titles contested.“They’ve changed theirsquad a little bit with a fewyoungsters in there andThe Fire 12thy for theDay will be selected forthe 9 and 10 Januarygames against the ACTat Allan Border Field,and against WA on 17and 18 January at thesame venue.Entrants must be 16years and younger to enterthis competition.Email your name andcontact detials todanielleh@qldcricket.com.au by 16 December.Twenty20 Fixtures31 Oct v Tas, Bris (won)6 Nov v NSW, Syd (lost)20 Nov v Vic, Melb11 Dec v SA, Adel8 Jan v ACT, Gabba16 Jan v WA, Gabbathey’ve lost a little bit ofexperience, but they’re stilla very talented team,” shesaid.Pressed for a desired winlossratio after the opening50-over double-headersagainst NSW and Victoria,Broadbent said ‘two orWNCL Fixtures7-8 Nov v NSW, Syd(lost both)21-22 Nov v Vic, Melb12-13 Dec v SA, Adel9-10 Jan v ACT, AB Fld17-18 Jan v WA, AB Fldthree wins would be nice’.“Even though there aremore games this year andyou can get bonus points,if we were 0-4 it would beconcerning and you wouldneed to play exceptionallywell from there.”Melissa Bulow fires up.14SO CLOSE TOBEATING NSWTwo quality efforts wentin vain for the Konica MinoltaFire last weekendwhen they were narrowlybeaten by 15 runs andthree wickets by heavyweightsNSW.After being smashed inthe Friday Twenty20 bynine wickets when theywere bundled out for 82,the Fire responded by reducingthe Breakers to 7-131, before Ellyse Perry’s66 got the home side to198. The Fire were wellplaced at 3-125 but fellagonizingly short.Rain badly affected theFire innings in Game 2,with Queensland making7-108. The Breakers werein trouble at 5-46 and 7-111, but eventually madetheir 126-run target withan over and three wicketsto spare.Jess Jonassen took 3-30and 3-24, while KirstenPike’s 4-15 off 10 oversand 1-18 from eight wereequally outstanding. MelBulow made 56 and 26.

AIDING PAPUA NEW GUINEA15BICHEL AIMS FOR 2015 WORLD CUPChampion fast bowlerAndy Bichel is attackinghis new role as Director ofCricket for Cricket PapuaNew Guinea with the samepassion as he dedicated tothe XXXX GOLD Bulls.Bichel is three months intoa two-year contract withAustralia’s nearest northernneighbour and is relishingworking alongsideformer Australian Cricketers’Association stalwartBill Leane. While the job ispart-time, Bichel is investinghimself wholeheartedly.“It was nice of Bill tohead-hunt me and see if Iwas interested,” Bichelsaid. “He had seen meworking in the communityand this job entails a lot ofthat – it’s not just aboutdeveloping cricketers, buta whole infrastructure.”Bichel’s most pressingcommitment is with guidingthe PNG underageside towardsthe Under19 World Cup inNew Zealand inJanuary.His side playedtwo trialmatches in Brisbanelast weekand fly to Canterburyon Sundayfor threematches againstlocal teams anda New Zealand Masters XI.On the way home, thesquad will stop in Melbournefor Twenty20games against club sidesand a match against theVictorian Under 19s.“It will be a whirlwind tripfor the boys but we’re tryingto upskill them asmuch as we can,” Bichelsaid. “These kids are sotalented with a bat andball, and they’ve got somuch to learn with theirgame awareness. I thinkthey can learn very quicklyand hopefully we can taketheir rating from No.23 inthe world to a higher ranking.”PNG qualified for the WorldCup by finishing equal secondat a qualification tournamentin Canada eightweeks ago, alongside Afghanistanand behind Ireland.Just as important to Bichelis the new scholarshipscheme he is helping tooversee which involves theplacement of 14 promisingyoung players – four inBrisbane, two in Townsville,six in Melbourne andtwo in New Zealand.“It is a chance of a lifetimefor these people,” Bichelsaid. “They have got tolearn that hard-nosedGrade cricket that we takefor granted in Australiathat produces players forQueensland.“We had two in Townsvilleand one in New Zealandlast year and they havereally developed as playersalready. Those three areclearly above the rest becausethey’ve had that experience.If we can do thatfor the next 14, this timenext year we’ll really beheading in the right direction.”Bichel added that the sportwas improving every daybecause the operation wasmore professional. Importantly,facilities in capitalPort Moresby are beingupgraded, with turf wicketsbeing laid for the firsttime in February.With appropriate fundingand Leane overseeing theprogram – with the supportof Australian, NewZealand and QueenslandCricket, the establishmentof upgraded facilities willfinally fulfill a long-helddream.“On Saturdays and Sundaysin PNG, you see theovals are full of peopleplaying sport - hopefullymore of them will be playingcricket in the future,”Bichel said.“Our women are currentlyranked 12 th in the worldand there’s 104 registeredContinued page 16

AIDING PAPUA NEW GUINEA16From Page 15countries with the ICC andwe’re ranked 23rd in themen’s. There’s still a big gapbetween No.23 and No.1 sowe’ve got some work to do, butwe’ve got some talented guysand hopefully we can move upthose rankings.”The men’s team is currentlygrouped in world Division 3 andBichel is itching to improve toDivision 2.“It’s a long wait until the nextmajor tournament in 2011 butthe player scholarships willhopefully have kicked in andthe players learnt a lot by thetime that comes around,” hesaid.“The 2015 World Cup is the ultimategoal for us at this stage.That’s a realistic challenge. Youlook at the West Indies, SriLanka, and India and there aresimilar social issues and in waythat cricket is played.”Next year one PNG player willjoin the QAS program.“I can see them learning somuch in a six-month period.Being around that squad andthe fringe Bulls players, joiningin with their training sessions,with their fitness, in the gym –whoever that lucky player iswill have an environment tolearn very quickly and PNG willbenefit from that no end,”Bichel said.He did not discount a PNGplayer even representingQueensland one day.“It would be great for a playerto be in a Bulls team. Thatwould only help us developmore of our players for the future,”Bichel said.CRICKET AND LIFESKILLS PRIORITYAn emphasis on the social developmentof players as much as thecricket side of their game will giveDirector of Coaching Andy Bichelthe best possible chance of success.That’s the view of Cricket PapuaNew Guinea general manager BillLeane, the man charged with growingthe game from the grass rootslevel in the country.“I have to look at our business as asocial responsibility and educationprocess. It’s just as much aboutlifeskills as their development ascricketers. While you don’t go in tothe job to save the world, you havean inherent responsibility to dothese other things,” Leane said.Taking into account the backgroundin which Leane is working from hisPort Moresby base, it is easy to understandhis philosophy.“I can start my day thinking strategically,then somebody will show upasking where to dig a hole, and youbecome a facilities manager,” hesaid. “Then a training issue will popup with a player and you are dealingin high performance.”It is not unusual for Leane to lineup in a bank queue for two hours tosort out staff wages, while securityis an issue that is always in theback of the mind.That’s nothing compared to thepoverty experienced by the vastmajority of the population.“There’s 80% unemployment herein a population of 6.2 million. Peoplecome from the highlands lookingfor that great opportunity but itdoesn’t present itself,” he said.He and Bichel have also had tolearn to understand the strong PNGculture of extended family, whereeveryone in a village is viewed as arelative and they all take on an inContinued page 17

AIDING PAPUA NEW GUINEA17From Page 16herent responsibility ifsuccessful in the greaterworld.While there are days whenLeane admits he ‘rips hishair out’, Cricket PNG isnonetheless shaping lives.When he began in therole, the 24 players on nationalcontracts trained 5-6 times per week, but onlysix had fulltime jobs andanother six were students.After approaching sponsorsfor assistance, everymember now has a job.Most make around $200kina per month, or $80Australian.Leane has also sent thenational squad to a 16-week part-time educationcourse, where they arehoning their computer,reading, writing and presentationskills.“We’re looking at everysingle thing we can do forthem as people,” he said.“We organise a bus to getthem to training – there’sno such thing as a car ordriver’s license. There aredays when we providemeals for the players sowe know that they havegot some sustenance toget a good day’s training.“We are about to launchan HIV education programbecause it’s the biggestkiller in PNG. It’s a genuineproblem.”All of the players in thenational team sleep on thefloor at home. They live instructures made out of acombination of cardboard,mud, a little bit of brickand timber, and sheets ofiron.“All these things havebeen massive life lessonsfor me,” Leane admitted.“But from a cricket perspective,PNG has enormouslytalented athletes.The physique is suited tocricket - the hand-eye coordinationis amazing, andthe fitness and generalathleticism of a PNG playeris good.”Leane added there wasCRICKET IS A LIFEEDUCATION FORNATIONAL SQUADstrong support for thegame. “We fight hardagainst rugby league becausethat’s the passionatenational game – theypride themselves onsomething that they excelat. It’s played everywhereand gets big crowds andlots of media coverage.“But PNG strongly supportscricket and we areequal second if not clearlysecond in terms of mediaweight. We’re doing well inthat regard but we’ve gotto continue to grow internationallyso people thensayBill Leane‘cricket is an option for meas an athlete’.“The way I look at it, NewZealand has got five millionpeople, we’ve got 6.2.If New Zealand can competeon the internationalscale with those resources,we should be just as competitive.”Getting Bichel involvedwas a no-brainer forLeane. “It was an easychoice, with no disrespectto any other former Australianplayer,” Leane said.“We only spoke to Andy,Terry Oliverbecause of his strength ofcharacter, the type of personhe is, and the way hecommunicates with people.“He’s obviously highly credentialledfrom a cricketperspective because he’sbeen through the school ofhard knocks. It wasn’t alwayseasy for him. He hadto work hard at his gameto get every ounce of abilityout of himself to stayat the elite level, andhopefully that’s a skill hecan pass on to the PNGguys.“As a person he is a greatrole model for our youngathletes. It is strengthenedby his standing inQueensland Cricket, andour relationship with QC isvery strong – we’ve hadgreat support from GrahamDixon, MarkMcLatchey and TerryOliver, and lots of peoplein the organization. Theconduit to QC is a majorbackbone of making thiswhole thing fit and worktogether.”

XXXX GOLD PREMIER GRADE CRICKET 18NEW FORMAT A WINNERThe new format for XXXX GOLDPremier Grade cricket has receivedthe thumbs-up fromBeenleigh/Logan star SimonLarrescy.The Cutters all-rounder hasbeen in scintillating formthrough the first six weeks ofthe Grade season, sitting highin the top 10 runscorers andwicket-takers, which are now acombination of two-day, onedayand Twenty20 performances.Larrescy has especially welcomedthe format where twodaygames have been played onback-to-back days over the oneweekend.“It’s a lot fairer than when youare waiting seven days becauseyou are playing in the sameconditions – the weather generallydoesn’t have a chance toaffect the result,” Larrescy said.One-day games are played asstand-alone matches on Saturdays,rather than on Sundays,and Larrescy has enjoyed thatchange.Simon Larrescy in action. Picturecourtesy The Reporter“It makes the one-dayers moreeven too,” he said. “In the pastsome teams will have spent thewhole Saturday bowling in theheat, then had to back up thenext day, when their oppositionmight have batted and beenless tired.”Beenleigh/Logan are well placedto challenge for a top four finishin Damien Mullins Cup for theoverall champion team, and areunbeaten in three matches inthe John McKnoulty Cup onedaycompetition.Toombul have won all sevenmatches, including four CamBattersby Cup two-day games,but Larrescy is comfortable withhis side’s progress. The Cutterswelcomed Clinton Perren(Norths), Steve Nottle (Norths)and Craig Rosario (Wynnum-Manly) into their line-up thissummer and the transition hasbeen seamless, according toLarrescy.“The three new players have allfitted in really well and that hasshowed in the way we are performing,”he said.Larrescy produced the best individualperformance of the seasonto date late last month, his5-29 off overs and 105 not outdetermining a tough five-wicketwin over Sandgate-Redcliffe.Larrescy actually led the runscoringgoing into last weekend’ssecond half of Round 7with 410 from Toombul’s ChrisLynn (355) and South Brisbaneace Brian May (307).Evergreen Wynnum-Manly allrounderGeoff Paulsen was infront in the bowling with 21wickets, while Wests’ CameronGlass had 18.CHANCE TO SHINEEvergreen veteranJimmy Maher, mid-30s debutant MarkSharrad, young captainAndy Michaeland seasoned allrounderSimon Larrescyshare a commonbond – they have each won a GabbaSporting Products Grade Player of theWeek Award in 2009-10.Now in its third season, the weekly recognitionof the best performed XXXXGOLD Premier Grade player across alllevels continues to throw up fascinatingstories. These tales are related eachweek on qldcricket.com.au, with the winneralso receiving a $100 gift vouchercourtesy of Gabba Sporting Products.Maher blazed a magnificent 175 in a reminderof his glory days with the XXXXGOLD Bulls and Australian ODI side, andspoke about his pleasure at helping tofoster the glut of young talent at Toombul.Sharrad took nine wickets in his Gradedebut for Souths in the opening week ofthe season, and talked about his plansfor a long future in the game despiteturning 34. Michael was put in charge ofa raw young Norths outfit this summerand piloted them to two early wins, scoring95 not out and hitting the winningruns off the last ball against Redlands inWeek 2.

QAS LEARNING CURVEA number of impressive individualperformances byQueensland Academy ofSport players have beenfeatures of the new CA FuturesLeague Under 23competition.Ben Dunk, Scott Walter andChris Lynn have all hadtheir moments as the QAShave started the seasonwith a win and a loss.Victoria are the only unbeatenState in the newLeague, which has replacedthe old Second XI competition.Walter, 20, the star ofXXXX GOLD Bulls Octobercampaign, began in the FuturesLeague and took 4-62and 3-63 in a five-wicketwin over the ACT at AllanBorder Field.Chris LynnLynn was the backbone ofthe batting with 83 not outand 40. The season-openerwas not an hour old whenteenage Wests bowler CameronGannon snared a hattrickon the way to 4-21from 12 overs.Alister McDermott warmedup for the Ford Ranger Cupseason with 5-77 in theACT second innings.Dunk kept tidily and hit 20not out to skipper the sideto victory, then cracked 52and 76 in a 10-wicket lossto Victoria at the JunctionOval.Dunk was by far the standoutQAS batsman althoughLynn got starts of 29 and34.QUEENSLAND CRICKET 19With Walter and McDermottboth on Bulls duty, LukeFeldman opened the bowlingand took 4-102 and 0-20 against a Victoria sidethat had young opener TomStray in great form with142 not out and 55 not.“We batted well in patchesbut didn’t stick to our simplegame plan with thebowling,” QAS coach JustinSternes said of the loss.“Every game is a learningexperience for these guysand we just have to makesure the players improvewith each one of them.”The third round starts on17 November, with the QAStravelling to Lindisfarne fora match against Tasmania,while the high-flying Victoriansmeet the ACT in Canberraand NSW face WA inPerth.Standings: Victoria 2-0,QAS 1-1, Tasmania 1-1; WA0-1; NSW 0-0-1; SA 0-1-1;ACT-0-1-1.CUP SHINES IN RAINIndigenous cricket continuesto thrive in thenorth courtesy of the annualRainforest CupTwenty20 competition.Heavy rain failed todampen the spirits of theparticipants or estimated400 spectators at 19matches over the firstweekend of this month.Tully won the men’s titlewith a five-wicket winover Ingham Waratahs,while the Innisfail Dolphinsscored 4-74 to beatWaratahs Tiddas 6-60 inthe women’s competition.The rain forced organizersto move games awayfrom the turf pitch at theTully Cricket Ground, butthe teams simply got onwith business at alternativevenues."It caused a bit of troublein terms of travel, but thepeople understood," Cupdirector Stan Lenoy toldThe Cairns Post. "Weweren’t able to get theturf wicket up on the Saturdayor Sunday morningInnisfail’s Tyson Clubb.Pic courtesy Cairns Postafter the rain, but wewere able to play a semifinaland the final there."Lenoy was confident theRainforest Cup wouldcontinue to grow."We’ve had Tully andCardwell tell us they wantto have women’s teamsnext year and Yarrabahsaid they’d have a coupleof men’s teams," he said."We’ll also have teamslike Cooktown, who madethe final last year, butthis year the carnivalclashed with their grandfinal."

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 20Ford Ranger CupSA Redbacks v XXXX GOLD Bulls – Wed 14 November – AdelaideLive on Fox Sports from 1pmWomen’s National LeagueVictoria v Konica Minolta Fire - Sat 21, Sun 22 November – AdelaideFollow the scores and match report on qldcricket.com.auSheffield ShieldVictoria v XXXX GOLD Bulls – Fri 27 to Mon 30 November — MCGFollow the scores and match reports on bulls.com.auFord Ranger CupVictoria v XXXX GOLD Bulls – Wednesday 2 December – GabbaLive on Fox Sports from 1pmFord Ranger CupXXXX GOLD Bulls v NSW Blues – Wednesday 9 December – GabbaTickets at the gate / live on Fox Sports from 1pmSheffield ShieldXXXX GOLD Bulls v NSW Blues – Fri 11 to Mon 14 December – GabbaTickets at the gateWomen’s National LeagueSA v Konica Minolta Fire - Sat 12 & Sun 13 December – AdelaideFollow the scores and match report on qldcricket.com.auKFC Twenty20 Big BashXXXX GOLD Bulls v Victoria – Monday 28 December — GabbaFollow the scores and match reports on bulls.com.auAll*Stars Fan DayTest team members at Allan Border Field – Sun 22 NovemberRides, games, activities and our international starsAll*Stars Twenty20Australian XI v Johnnie Walker ACAAll*Stars – Sun 22 NovemberSee Australia’s best light up the GabbaTest Match Luncheon presented by 3 / Strategic AirlinesListen to the biggest names in cricket - Tuesday 24 NovemberSee members of the Aussie and Windies teams at the BrisbaneConvention Centre. Call 3292 31194BC / Qld Cricket Test Match BreakfastsThursday 26 and Friday 27 November at the GabbaDine and laugh with some of cricket’s biggest personalities3 mobile first TestAustralia v West Indies – Thurs 26 – Mon 30 NovemberCatch the nation’s finest players live at the Gabba.Bulls Ladies LuncheonLegends Room at the Gabba - Friday 4 DecemberWestfield Chermside fashion parades, Matthew and Kellie Haydenand the XXXX GOLD Bulls. Table quiz and player auctionsconducted by 4BC’s Donna Lynch and 4BH’s Loretta Ryan withfunds raised to the McGrath Foundation. Call 3292 3119KFC Junior Bulls Coaching ClinicsAllan Border Field — 15-17 December, 12-14 JanuaryImprove your skills with guidance from some of the State’smost senior coaches. For kids aged 8-14. Call 3292 3100