Sport
14 January, 2023
Bulls Masters T20 Country Challenge Final
THE 2022 Bulls Masters Country Challenge Final between the Far North Fusion and the North Queensland Monsoons ran this Wednesday, January 11, at the Gabba as a curtain-raiser for the Big Bash game between the Brisbane Heat and the Perth Scorchers that started at 12.15pm.
The Bulls Masters Country Challenge group stages moved up to Cairns in October. The local side was determined to take full advantage of their hometown advantage after falling short in the semifinal stage in the past three seasons.
The Fusion had yet to make the decider at the Gabba since losing to Mackay/ Whitsundays in the 2017 Gabba final.
In 2020 and 2021, they had nail-biting semi-finals that went down to the wire both times against North Queensland Monsoons and lost on both occasions after being in winning positions.
The Fusion hoped to claim their second title at the Gabba this week. Prior to the final, Far North Fusion captain, Justin Reid said the team was excited to face the North Queensland Monsoons.
“Everyone is really looking forward to the match and are excited to get out there,” Reid said.
“We prepared as we did for every game; the only difference is The Gabba.
“We’re both very good teams, and it takes one or two people to change the game, so we’ve just got to be ready and give ourselves the best chance to win.
“We all want to be the champion; it means a lot to represent the region and to showcase our skills against the rest of the state,” he said.
The Fusion’s opponent in the Bulls Masters Country Challenge Final is the North Queensland Monsoons, who are the defending champions and the most dominant team in the history of the Country Challenge.
The Monsoons have made the final every year since 2019 and have been consistent, making the final six of the last eight years.
Their skipper, Craig McElligott, told the Bulls Masters that he sees this year’s final as an opportunity to stamp their authority on the Country Challenge and rewrite the history books again.
Far North Fusion’s Brenton Edwards said this final was particularly meaningful to him as he was getting closer to the end of his career.
“We’re feeling really confident; we’ve been spending some time together, and we’re looking forward to getting out in the field,” Edwards said.
“For those who haven’t played at The Gabba, this is going to be a fantastic experience.
“We’re just going to try and keep it simple like we did through our qualifications and try and concentrate on every game, and if we do that, we should get the result we want.
“It’s going to be a very well-balanced game, so it’s going to go down to the wire, but I’m very confident in our boys,” he said.
“It’d be unreal to win this game; it’s a great feeling to get to play The Gabba, but being able to take the win would be great.
“Especially for me, I’m getting into the later years of my playing career, so being around our youthful side here and as a veteran to put some knowledge into the boys; it would be great to win,” Edwards said.
The Country Challenge final was livestreamed on the Bulls Masters Facebook and Youtube channels, starting coverage at midday.
The Fusions had the last laugh, securing a great start and dominating the defending champions the NQ Monsoons with a final score of 6/183.
The victory has an even sweeter taste for the Fusions who won against the Monsoons for the first time since 2016 in a very tight match.
Fusion’s Jake Roach took the Player of the Final Award and was awarded the “wine box” from Former Australian bowler and Queensland’s leading wicket taker of all time Andy Bichel.
It was an afternoon of high quality cricket and a memorable occasion for the Far North Fusion cricket.
FUSION TEAM
Justin Reid (Captain)
Jake Roach (Player of th Final)
Andrew Phelps
Angus Warnock
Tom Boorman
Matthew Wilkins
Wade Matthews
Mark Ellis
Harry Gardner
B. Edwards
D. Freebody
T. Ward
Coach – B. Weare, S Kerwitz and M Rees
Mentor – Jimmy Maher