Warwick v Wanderers
24 August 2024 at Slade Park Warwick
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 headed west to Quilpie, via Bowenville, Mitchell and Charleville, then looped back via Cunnamulla, St George, Thallon and Warwick.
Apart from the cricket, the tourists were 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 for the 2025 tour; details to come.Journeying through Toobeah and Goondiwindi the tourists last leg of the tour was Warwick; Slade Park the venue of the final match.
The tourists innings featured seven 20+ partnerships. The best of these was 37 from 57 balls between Jared Spies and Hayden Doherty for the 2nd wicket. Jared (28), Hayden (30) and Tom Doherty (42) were impressive at the top of the order. As was Warwick’s Marc Wagner who picked up 4/28 from 8 overs. Shane Wyatt’s swashbuckling 28 from 22 balls provided some entertainment down the order as did the 11th wicket partnership between Brad Murphy and “ring-in” Damian Boal which added 22 from 28 balls. Wanderers all out for 215 in the 48th over.
In the chase, the score was 14 when an incredible direct hit from the boundary by James Kleinschmidt caught Carter Bilbrough short of his ground. His opening partner, Lachlan Boal was then bowled by Jared Spies the very next ball and Warwick were 2/15 at lunch.
After lunch, Wanderers continued to apply pressure. Sean Bryson got a James Kleinschmidt special in the 12th over, Spies trapped skipper, Jamie Saunders in front in the 15th. Ring-ins Riley Doherty (It was hard enough to pick them with two brothers in the field), and Damian Bole picked up five wickets between them. Joost terBals picked up a wicket and a catch at mid-on and Chris Leonard registered his second Wanderers wicket. Tom Doherty held onto yet another outfield catch and Samson Fox scooped up a beauty at short mid-wkt. A flamboyant 36 from 29 balls by former Wanderer, Alex Dwan, at the death provided great entertainment. Wanderers home by 86 runs.
Brad Murphy paid tribute to the Warwick organisers including Andrew Bryson who was unable to be there due to illness and a big thanks to Robbo for the BBQ.
Hayden Doherty was announced as the Pop Cooper Award winner for the tour; polling just ahead of Jared Spies and James Kleinschmidt.
Both teams headed to the Warwick and Condamine Sports Club and were entertained by stories from Test Cricketer, Brendan Nash; the inimitable Evan “Banger” Bancroft presiding.
What a wonderful tour. Friends made, stories told, experiences had. Well done to everyone and a big Thank you to Bus driver Ian Crispo, Umpire Greg Payne and of course…tour leader and Wanderers legend and supremo…Brad Murphy.
