Twenty20 Uni games aplenty

Part of the SCU Twenty20 team (from left) Pat Flaherty, James Forbes, Mitch Bartholomaeus and Alex Lewers.

THE Southern Cross University Twenty20 cricket team flies out to Perth tomorrow to compete in next week’s Indian Rim Asian University Games (IRAUG).

Beginning in 2007, the Australian University Championships for Twenty20 cricket showcases the cream of Australian university cricketers.

In both ’07 and ’08, the competition comprised around eight teams from universities across the country, however the 2009 tournament includes teams from Singapore, South Africa, India and Malaysia.

Team manager, Geoff Hallmann, said that despite finishing last in ’07 the team fought every game until the very end with some notable achievements along the way, including the tournament’s first ever hat-trick.

“We approached the 2008 tournament differently and finished 6th,” he said.

“However, that could have been very different were it not for a final over one-wicket loss to subsequent champions and now back-to-back winners, University of Sydney.”

Hallmann praised the team’s sponsors and own fundraising efforts for getting them to the competition.

“Unlike the metropolitan teams who can heavily subsidise their players, we have relied on our own fundraising efforts throughout the year and the generosity of local businesses to assist us with funding the trip,” he said.

In the past two years Southern Cross has had eight players nominated for the Australian University green and gold team, with Nathan Collins, James Forbes, Dom Marsh, and Troy Scott selected.

The Southern Cross Twenty20 team includes Josh Mapstone (captain), Geoff Hallmann (manager, vice-captain), Craig Attewell, Mitchell Bartholomaeus, Simon Donald, Pat Flaherty, James Forbes, Alex Lewers, Barry McBain, Mitchell Pickford, Michael Riley and Matthew Walter.