By Roy Weavers

The Queensland Rail Bulls Masters have all arrived in town and staying at the Sea Temple Resort and Spa for the duration of the week.

This illustrious gathering of Australian Cricket (and Rugby) legends includes World Record Test Opening Batsman Matthew Hayden, Wicketkeeper and world acclaimed sledger, Ian 'Heals' Healy, Captain Grumpy, Allan 'AB' Border, Ex Queensland Captain Jimmy Maher, Greg 'fat cat' Ritchie and a man you just can't keep away from Port Douglas, the unique talents of paceman Michael Kasprowicz.

Wendell Sailor or 'Big Dell" as he is known to his friends has also made the trip to give the whole proceedings, in his own words, "a touch of class". Two cricket Far North Players, Ryan Hetherington and Mitchell Carman, have also been selected to play in the Bulls Masters XI.

The Bulls Masters started their stay in Port with a Golf Day out at the Sea Temple Course where a whole bunch of lucky locals were mixed and matched with their favourite superstars.

Organiser and current President of Cairns Far North Cricket, Kevin Maher was delighted with the turn out and said he was expecting a hard fought but fair competition, however if there was any way to handicap any of the superstars he felt sure his fellow players would lend a hand!

In the evening the legends were guests at a Sportsmans Dinner hosted at the Sea Temple Resort by general manager, Andrew McSweeney where there was to be an auction and raffle of prizes and cricket memorabilia for the selected charities.

On Saturday the festivities start at 9.30am when an indigenous XI will be playing against a Cairns Far North (CFN) Representative Under 19 XI.  In the Indigenous XI we are delighted to report that two of our very own Port Douglas Muddies will be playing with the late inclusion of Bronson Ryan to join Simeon Meglioranza.

The AFL Crocs are running a bar in the club rooms and there will be lots of food stalls.

After the fast and furious action of this first 20/20 match, the Masters themselves take to the field to meet the challenge of the CFN Invitational XI at 1.30pm which include some of our regions best A Grade cricketers.

Radio Port Douglas are also broadcasting a 'ball by ball' commentary all afternoon from 1pm with Simon 'Muffy' Watmuff in the chair ably supported by Saturday Sports Show offsiders Kez Larsen and yours truly.  Dave 'OO' Evans will also be conducting on field interviews with the superstars and maybe even some of the crowd!

The Port Douglas Muddies are represented in the CFN A Grade XI in the person of Mossman School teacher, Ben Vikionkorpi, who is the only player outside the A Grade competiton to be selected.  This is a credit to the quality of performance Ben has put in during the season for the Muddies who do not currently have an A grade team.

He tells us that his ambition is to bowl his hero Matthew Hayden. This is a coincidence because Mathew Hayden tells us that his ambition is to hit Ben Vikionkorpi all around the park on the way to a quick century.

You'll have to come along to find out who will achieve their ambition!

Tickets on the gate $10 pp for people over 16 years of age. If your younger your free!

For your interest we have set out below the latest team lists from which the teams will be selected:

Cricket Far Norths Invitational XI vs Queensland Rail Bulls Masters
 
Gerard Fox(Atherton)
Darren Lees(Norths)
Brendan Gallagher(Norths)
Fred Pittorino(Atherton)
Steve Porta(United)
Brenton Edwards(Rovers)
Glen Martin(Rovers)
Jake Roach(Mulgrave)
Ryan Terry(Rovers)
Linden March(United)
Jon Chisholm(Rovers)
Luke Parnell(Atherton)
Ben Vikionkorpi(Port Douglas)
Nev Philp(Mulgrave)
Coach Darryl Bridgeman, Manager Brenton Parnell

Queensland Rail Bulls Masters XI

Jimmy Maher (Capt)
Allan Border
Matthew Hayden
Ian Healy
Andy Bichel
Michael Kasprowicz
Greg Ritchie
Wendell Sailor
Ryan Hetherington
Mitchell Carman
More TBC


Cricket Far North Under 19 XI V Indigenous XI

Braden Richardson(United)
Nathan Freebody(United)
Jordan Fulton(Barron)
Will Nasser(Atherton)
Cameron Duffy(Rovers)
Brodie Linton(Mulgrave)
Gavin Rodman(Mulgrave)
Lyndon Palmer(Rovers)
Matthew Williams (United)
John Bell(Rovers)
Tom Barclay(Rovers)
Coach Bill Meaney Manager


Indigenous Team XI

From:
Brett Smith (Babinda)
Michael Williams (Innisfail)
Usop Drahm  (Rovers cc Cairns)
Anthony Ivy (Tully)
Simeon Miglioranza (Port Douglas)
Bronson Ryan (Port Douglas)
Roderick Underwood (Yarrabah)
Jordan Canendo (Yarrabah)
Liam Woodcock United cc Cairns)
Sheldon Congoo (Innisfail)
Andrew Rassip (Innisfail)
Bradley Stout (Qld Imparja Cup Team)
Michael Prien (Qld Imparja Cup Team)
Allan Kelley (Cairns)