St Paul’s School v Wanderers

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, Dirranbandi 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.

Wednesday 6 March 2024 at St Paul’s School Bald Hills

The weather was merciful, there was a light breeze blowing and the hospitality was excellent as always at St Paul’s School.

Bailey Coleman and Sharu Mahendraraj got the game off to a rollicking start for Wanderers in a partnership of 70 from just over 10 overs, before Lachlan Mackenzie-Smith was introduced with instant success; sneaking one through Coleman’s defence with the first ball of his spell. Sharu continued in aggressive fashion reaching 50 from just 35 balls and taking the score to 95 from just 15 overs. Then, disaster for Wanderers as Ryan Merritt had Sharu caught by Fraser Johnson from the first ball of the 16th, then trapped Rhys Lewis in front two balls later. Mackenzie-Smith chimed in with his second wicket at the end of the 17th and 1/95 had become 4/101; three wickets in 12 balls.

Skipper Chris (Gecko) Leonard and Matt Warner dug in for Wanderers against some very tight bowling from St Paul’s. Fraser Johnson eventually broke through in the 26th to dismiss Warner and Daniel Melloy enticed a lofted shot by Leonard in the 30th, for Lucas Mackenzie-Smith to take the catch; 6/137. Lucas M-S was introduced into the attack in the 34th over and sparked a massive collapse. Wanderers lost their final 6 wickets for just 12 runs in the space of 7 overs. Lucas picking up two, Ollie Rauchle two and Tom Clay two in the 40th over to end the innings on 154.

The chase got off to a shaky start when Marc Banvill had Ollie Ruachle caught by Leonard at mid-off at the end of the 4th. That seemed to light a fire under Billy Jackson who smashed six boundaries from his next 14 balls, including 4 in a row in the 8th over, to guide St Paul’s to lunch at 1/41 from 9 overs. After the break, Jackson continued to attack, reaching 50 from 36 balls in the 14th over. However, two balls later, he was deceived by Om Bhikadiya and trapped in front. The wily Steve Gode took just three balls to pick up a wicket enticing a lofted drive into the hands of Chris Tuesley at mid off. Gode and Bhikadiya continued to apply the pressure allowing just 11 runs from the next five overs. Luke Rowing reaped the reward of this pressure picking up a sharp C&B from the 4th ball of his spell to make it 4/78 in the 20th over.

It could’ve gone “pear-shaped” from there but Lachlan Mackenzie-Smith and Tom Clay compiled a patient and crucial 39-run partnership over the next 10 overs to the drinks break to take St Pauls to 117 - 38 runs from victory. After drinks, Fraser Johnson joined Clay following the retirement of Mackenzie-Smith. At the end of the 34th, with the score on 4/130, Arj Sharma found Johnson’s leading edge and Om Bhikadiya took the catch to make it 5/130. Three balls later it was Bhikadiya again taking a good catch to dismiss Tom Clay off Chris Tuesley; 6/130 and at the end of the 35th Tuesley picked up a second wicket, trapping the new batsman in front; 7/130.

It was tense, both batsmen had not faced a ball. Tuesley’s double wicket maiden was followed by a maiden by Sharma. Two off the next, then another Sharma maiden. 7/132. Om Bhikadiya was re-introduced, but Bailey Gillett and Guru Behl found a way to get 7 off the over; 7/139 - 16 to get. Just one off the next from Rhys Lewis. Wides in the next over from Om before Gillett lashed out and…CAUGHT…at cover, a wonderful overhead catch to Bailey Coleman; 8/143 - 12 to get.

Five valuable runs off the next…8/148. Dale de Sousa back into the attack. Dot. Dot. BOWLED! 9/148…New batsman takes guard , checks the field, De Sousa running in….BOWLED! 10/148. What is happening? Two wickets in hand. 7 runs to get. De Sousa on a hat trick. APPEAL! going down leg and a leg bye taken. 10/149. A wide first up by Lewis…150.. DOT… Single to Melloy… a boundary will do it. 2 to Ryan Merritt..153…DOT…DOT…Short.. Pulled away.. Boundary to Merritt and target reached at the end of the 44th over.

A win to St Paul’s by two wickets. What an entertaining day of cricket! Well done to all the players. A big Thank You to the hosts of a sumptuous lunch and their continued support of the Wanderers Club.