Wanderers v St George
Wanderers Tour 2023
16 August 2023 at St George High School
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 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. In August 2023, the Wanderers Annual Tour will loop around Goondiwindi, St George, Roma, Tambo, Barcaldine, Emerald, Springsure. 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 for future tours.The Club relies upon its own fund-raising resources and sponsors to finance its activities including supporting youngsters in coaching clinics and on tours.
The tour rolled on to St George (via the legendary Nindigully Pub) for an afternoon T20 at the St George High School. Tight bowling early by St George openers, Eli Schultz and Dylan Sherriff, restricted Wanderers to just 27 from the first six overs. Schultz was rewarded with the wicket of Allan in the 7th over. Connor Nowlan joined Bidgood to advance the score by 36 from just 25 balls, before Nowlan attempted to loft Dylan Hart over long on and was well caught by Micah Schultz on the boundary. Bidgood and Chad Soper continued to accelerate; Bidgood bringing up his 50 from the first ball of the 17th and Soper clubbing an additional 18 from the next 4 balls. Ollie Lockwood got his own back; sneaking one through with the final ball of the 17th to end Soper’s cameo. Bidgood smashed 26 from his next 10 balls to take his personal tally to 76 and the score to 163, but when he attempted to loft Raju Garung over mid-off, Jason Southern backpedalled nicely to take a fine catch overhead. Marty Steel’s lusty blows at the death took the total to 173 from the full 20 overs.
St George opening batsmen, Dylan Sherriff and Jason Southern started off at a gallop, smashing 41 from the first 4 overs. Jack Gardiner then intervened in the 5th over, claiming Sherriff with his first ball and another two wickets in the same over to reduce St George to 3/45. Marty Steel (Man of Steel) made it 4/63 in the 7th when Chad Soper (Super Chad) got under one (c. Super Chad b. Man of Steel), but Jason Southern continued on his merry way to 50 from 31 balls; guiding St George to 100 in the 13th over. He found solid support from Dylan Hart in a six over partnership of 40 before trying to loft Jamo Allan out of the ground and losing his off stump. Allan was on a hat trick in his next over; Rob O’Keefe taking a catch and another set of disturbed stumps from the following ball. Shane Wyatt picked up a wicket a few balls later with the assistance of Chad Soper at square leg. John Schultz looked good for St George with 15 from 15, but fell to a good throw by Gardiner and a good set of hands by Wyatt, deflecting onto the stumps. Chris Leonard relinquished the gloves to claim a wicket thanks to the safe hands of Gardiner. St George falling short by 43 runs.
Wanderers president, Brad Murphy, thanked the St George team for hosting the game and being so willing to arrange the match at short notice. Dylan Sherriff responded with some kind words on behalf of St George.
Australian fast bowling legend Geoff Dymock, regaled bowlers from both teams with anecdotes and bits of wisdom
