The Queensland Rail Bulls Masters have named a list of eight former topliners who will take to the field with the state’s best regional cricketers in the inaugural Queensland Rail Bulls Masters T20 Country Challenge at the end of September.

The list includes two former Australian internationals, one of the highest runscorers in first-class cricket, as well as a number of Sheffield Shield winners.

The seven regional Queensland teams will have access to one Queensland Rail Bulls Masters player in each of their round robin matches, which will be played in Mackay and Bundaberg across the weekend of September 29 and 30.

The Far North Fusion will be boosted by the inclusion of former local junior Jimmy Maher, as well as miserly medium-pacer Adam Dale.

Maher, who is the Queensland Rail Bulls Masters Managing Director, said he is looking forward to returning to his roots and representing Far North Queensland again.

“As a kid I used to love pulling the Cricket Far North cap on when representative games came around, and that was really the stepping stone to me playing for Queensland and Australia,” Maher said.
“This, I guess is the full circle as I am back where it all began and I can give something back to the game and the region that I love”.

“The Queensland Rail Bulls Masters have played a couple of games in the region over the past two years, and I can see there is some genuine talent coming through.

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“I think the young players, especially, will really benefit from whatever guidance myself and Adam Dale can give them.

“It’s a great coup for us getting Adam up there for the tournament.  He was a very crafty bowler who played two Tests in his career, so the pace bowlers will hopefully chew his ear off over the weekend.”

Dale said the event will be a great opportunity for players in the regions to put their name forward for higher honours.

“There will be a state selector at both the Northern and South Conference tournaments, so it’s a chance for some of these players to take the next step if they’re good enough,” Dale said.

“I’m looking forward to the chance to work with the squad and help them out both on and off the field.

The Queensland Rail Bulls Masters T20 Country Challenge will feature seven regional teams from across the state, as well as an eighth team from Papua New Guinea.

The Northern Conference round robin tournament will be held at Harrup Park in Mackay on September 29 and 30, while the Southern Conference teams will face off in Bundaberg at Salter Oval over the same weekend.