St George v Wanderers
22 August 2024 at McGeevers Recreational Grounds, Thallon
Wanderers was formed in Queensland during 1933 by the then Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Wilson, with the aim to encourage young people to play and enjoy the game of cricket. Today the Club plays mid-week matches each Summer, mostly against schools in the State's south-east, and undertakes an annual 10-12 day playing and coaching tour of country centres. Tours in recent years have taken Wanderers west to Eromanga, South to Yetman and North to Charters Towers. The Club relies upon its own fund-raising resources and sponsors to finance its activities including supporting youngsters in coaching clinics and on tours.In August 2023, the Wanderers Annual Tour took in Goondiwindi, St George, Roma, Tambo, Barcaldine, Emerald and Springsure. The 2024 tour will head west to Quilpie, via Mitchell and Charleville, then loop back via Cunnamulla, St George and Warwick.
Apart from the cricket, the tourists will be edified by stops at various country pubs and tourist attractions. If you are a cricketer, golfer, lawn bowler or just an avid observer/supporter, please visit the Wanderers Club QLD Inc. Facebook page and register your interest.Leaving Quilpie, the Wanderers bus meandered south-eastward-ish through Toompine, Eulo (home of the Diprotodon) and on to Cunnamulla and a coaching clinic organised by the super-energetic Marsha Bolitho. The youngsters were eager for the snippets of cricket wisdom imparted by the Wanderers. A delicious bite of lunch at the quaint Club Boutique Hotel, then onward to St George. There was a short stop in Bollon before arriving in St George in the early evening.
The day dawned and the tourists were back on the bus toward Thallon - about 80km south. McGeever Recreational Grounds at Thallon was the venue for Wanderers penultimate tour match v St George. An expansive pitch made boundaries very hard to come by. Hayden and Tom Doherty started cautiously, but only because the bowling was very accurate early. Youngster, Sam Small was particularly hard to get away conceding just six runs in his first five overs. Wanderers inched to 29 from the first ten overs before accelerating. The 50 partnership came up in the 13th over and Hayden registered 50 in the 18th; retiring on 58 at drinks with the score on 87. After drinks, St George fought back with young’uns Sam Penfold (2/15) and Verity Schultz (3/24) both on hat-tricks at one point. Tom Doherty compiled a fine 41 from 74 balls and brother Hayden returned late in the innings to push his score to 64 from 84. Jared Spies and Shane Wyatt’s run-a-ball 33 run partnership provided some late order fireworks; Wanderers amassing 180 from 40 overs.
Jared Spies and James Kleinschmidt had their feet planted firmly on the brakes in the early stages, restricting St George to 22 from the first 12 overs. The pair bowled 23 consecutive dot balls between the 7th and 10th overs, Spies picking up a wicket along the way. Veteran, Ron Faulks picked up a wicket with his second ball, much to the chagrin of his “supporters” in the crowd, to make it 2/22 in the 13th. Mick Casey and Jack Knight added 46 for the 3rd wicket, before Casey lofted Shane Wyatt to Tom Doherty at mid-off. Joost terBals gleefully accounted for Samson Fox, Shane Wyatt taking the catch. Nico Hill proved that he was just as handy with the bat as he was with the BBQ tongs, smacking 39 from 39 in a 62 run partnership with Jack Knight before being cleaned up by Kleinschmidt in the 36th over. An over later, Jared Spies took a blinder of a catch on the long on boundary off Om Bhikadiya to dismiss the stubborn Jack Knight after a 65 ball stay. With 34 needed from 21 balls, Phil Lockwood gave St George every chance, belting 28 from 11 including 11 off a 3-ball spell by Brad Murphy. The tour’s star fielder, Tom Doherty (he’s everywhere), was alert to a risky second run by Lockwood, delivering a near perfect throw to Chris Leonard for the run out. With 15 needed from the last, Joost picked up a second wicket. Wanderers home by 7 runs.
Wanderers continued to 49 overs to allow St George youngsters some batting time; setting some scenarios as a challenge.
After the match, presentations were made to organisers, BBQers and players. Caps autographed by Marnus Labuschagne drew spirited bidding from all.
In a gesture truly worthy of the Wanderers spirit, softies, Sol and Fossil presented their successful auction bid to an excited Verity Schultz as an encouragement to continue with her cricket 😊.
The tourists made their way to the Nindigully pub for a pizza meal before heading back to St George for the evening.
