Cricketers bailed out of trouble

Caboolture Sports cricket has been ‘bailed out’ of a growing problem by local woodcrafters.

Every week bails used by Caboolture Sports Cricket Club were breaking “as soon as the ball hit them,” says President Steve Adams.

“They’re made of pine and can’t seem to take the impact. I reckon we’d go through a pair every innings. They cost about $8. It was ridiculous.”

Steve asked Tony Clarke, the Sport and Community Manager at Caboolture Sports Club (CSC), if he knew of any woodturning groups.

Local solution

He did, Caboolture Woodcrafters, which the CSC Community Chest has supported for years with help buying equipment.

“Brian (Bisset, the woodcrafters’ vice president) came down, took a sample away and came back with the finished product,” says Steve.

Doug Pearce, President of Caboolture Woodcrafters, says they often get requests for one-off jobs, such as fixing chairs, but not cricket bails.

No problem

“We couldn’t see a problem though,” says Doug, “we picked tallowwood from up around D’Aguilar and Woodford. It’s nice and strong and the natural colour we wanted.”

Caboolture Cricket Club was delighted with the home-grown solution and has secured a batch of 60. “We’ve tried them in four matches and not one break,” says Steve.

The woodcrafters, who are based at Caboolture Historical Village, may now turn their attention to cricket stumps, which can cost around $90 a set.

New opportunity

“It won’t be too hard. We might use some blackbutt wood, which is local,” says club president Doug.

Steve backed the idea saying: “They’re not-for-profit and can supply cricket, it might be an opportunity for them. Lots of clubs are suffering the same problem.”

Caboolture Woodcrafters are open for those aged 14 and above. Anyone 18 and above need a Blue Card. There are currently 122 members.

For details visit Caboolturewoodcrafters.com

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