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Mackay Whitsundays’ disappointing start to the U15 North Queensland Cricket Championships is through no fault of rising young opener Joel McFarlane.
The Walkerston batsman is averaging 40 after two days of top-tier cricket at Harrup Park.
Sweating through high humidity in Tuesday’s clash with Central Queensland, McFarlane stayed at the crease to face more than 100 deliveries for a hard-fought 42.
He was once again left to go it alone at the top of the order as the hosts struggled to get much going with the bat early in the innings.
“The bowling was pretty good from them,” McFarlane said.
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Subscriber only Benjamin Schembri s stellar showing with bat and ball is the silver lining from a disappointing loss to FNQ on day one of the U15 North Queensland Championships at Harrup Park this afternoon. The Pioneer Valley all-rounder was joint top-scorer for Mackay Whitsundays in an eight-wicket loss to a quality FNQ outfit. Coming in at seven, Schembri blasted 38 off 46, including six fours, to tie opener Joel McFarlane s total and help push the hosts total out to 180. Schembri was then the pick of the bowlers, particularly early in the second innings, with tight lines and smart fields keeping the FNQ openers under wraps.