Two weeks later and Mackay lingers on ...
Two weeks removed from North Queensland and the internal debate continues.
Is it me - or does Mackay remain diffident toward itself?
I believe it does, and will continue to do so for some time, or until the K is capitalised - maybe. Alternatively, it could go all in and present as MACKAY - either way, only then might we see some form of liberation for this runyonesque town.
The goal here is to enlighten, to keep you up to date with all things SpeakingNick. Mackay remains in my daily thought patterns, so please be patient as we try to put a lid on the current relationship. I think it will be this dispatch; and possibly one more to follow? Please leave a comment …
What wasn't in doubt was the fact that Mackay, not MacKay, hosted an impressive U19 male national cricket championship.
The last championships were back in December, 2019. Perth was the venue then, and how Western Australia (WA) has changed since; regrettably WA was not represented in Mackay. (I will pass on Mr. McGowan this time!)
Harrup Park Country Club, and the Magpies Club, provided outstanding facilities for all concerned. It is also noted that much credit should be given to both venues' grounds staff, as well as the many local administrators, and volunteers who assisted during the carnival. Cricket Australia was well served in all aspects.
Travel days are irksome. You find yourself scanning the hotel room for defecting items, toiletries seem to be serial offenders, in this case a magnifying mirror was to blame. Yes, a mirror! Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all. Presenting as this fabled character is not feasible, although we will have more on the other Queen later.
Most of Good Friday was spent in rental cars, overbooked planes, and crowded airports. Mackay to Melbourne is via Brisbane. Thankfully, the 40 odd pieces of luggage arrived as they left the Sunshine State, and all that was left behind was the heat, and the mirror.
Mackay’s heat can be suffocating, much the same as an over-bearing grand-parent; It means well, most of the time, but it never really gives up.
Packed in one of my own bags was a favourite jumper, a pull-over I was yearning to wear all week. Alas, there was more chance of it snowing! And, more chance of my roommate returning to the room, the same day he left it.
The heat can linger like a labrador round the kitchen table, and Mackay’s air-conditioning units beat to the tune of a lost busker. Sadly, the jumper never made it out of the suitcase. It should never have made the trip.
The same should not be said of my previously mentioned roommate!
Coach Crone was a valuable member of the coaching team, and provided a perfect conduit to all players. I believe U19 players remain acutely impressionable from a coaching/learning perspective, so clarity of message is critical in advancing their cricket acumen and knowledge. He did a terrific job.
The day before Good Friday happened to be Thursday - finals day.
Earlier in the week, and over the previous weekend, rain had contrived to create a dis-jointed schedule. T20 matches replaced 50 over games, and forced rest days removed one of the qualifying rounds. In all 90 odd overs were lost across the five games. Opportunities for players were limited.
VIC Country opposed QLD Country early Thursday morning. T20 being the format, our boys prevailed with a comfortable five wicket win. Liam Blackford led the batting chase with 60 from (47 balls) - and Evan Allaway was the best of the bowlers with 2-24 from (4 overs) - this placed VIC Country joint seventh by my calculations. After a grand-final appearance in 2019 - this probably showed as a disappointing carnival.
This years grand-final saw perennial powerhouse NSW metro, take on Queensland metro. Both sides looked evenly matched.
Having elected to bat first, Queensland metro finished with 9-198 (50 overs), thanks mainly to a composed 74 from opener, Stephan Muller. Their bowlers then restricted the powerful NSW batting to a meagre 171 - wickets were shared by all bowlers.
Full scorecard here
Queensland captain, Noah McFadyen was named player of the tournament. And, Stephan Muller, player of the final. It should also be noted: Ryan Harris was the Queensland metro Head coach.
Now, back to the Queen … that is Annastacia Palaszczuk
While Posturing doesn't really fit as a middle name, it could legitimately be placed after Annastacia and before Palaszczuk - ‘Annastacia Posturing Palaszczuk’
As the self-proclaimed Queen of Queensland in 2021, she demonstrated it in spades, posturing and showing total disdain for her liberal neighbours to the south, despite the abhorrent neglect she exhibited towards her own citizens. It is also appropriate to condemn Prince Miles, who played his part in the colloquial pantomime.
You could fill the Pacific ocean with Palaszczuk anecdotes … this short paragraph remains my own favourite:
There is a politician we can't name, using a non-publication order we can't seem to get, in a case to suppress a report by a corruption watchdog which won't talk about it, in a court hearing that was held with no names.
Welcome to Queensland. Source: ABC News
Only in Queensland, only in Palaszczuk’s Queensland!
One thing for Queen Palaszczuk to remember is: Australia remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations; and the official head of state is the Monarch of the Realms - Queen Elizabeth II. This has been the case for some time, and the ‘Fair-dinkum Queen’ is likely to out-stay the narcissistic Palaszczuk.
So, all that good fun comes to an end. Congratulations to Queensland metro. We must also compliment Mackay for its hospitality, and facilities that were perfectly matched to an under-age cricket carnival. Players and coaches enjoyed comfortable accommodation, and traveling families supported appropriately.
As always, thank you for taking the time to be here.
