Madsen has right numbers on the board
ROSS Madsen was already planning on heading to Bundaberg in the new year to watch the Australian Country Cricket Championships.
Now he might even get his accommodation paid for.
The Ipswich and West Moreton Cricket Association treasurer will fill the role of scorer for the East Asia Pacific (EAP) team that will contest the championships against the Australian state country sides, starting January 3.
"I was heading up to Bundy anyway," Madsen said.
Then I got a call from my brother (Queensland Country Cricket president) Gary asking if I wanted a role scoring.
"This way I get to see the whole lot and might even get my room paid for."
It is the first time Queensland has hosted the carnival since 2008 so Madsen had planned to see Australia's best country cricketers in action off his own bat.
"I was never going to miss it," he said.
The EAP team includes a number of players from the Papua New Guinea team that leads the Webb Shield.
The rest are from Vanuatu and Samoa.
"They've got some good cricketers and are a good side," Madsen said. "They're a happy-go-lucky team who are always smiling."
A one-time Norths junior and Ipswich, South Queensland and South East Queensland manager, Madsen has been scoring in Ipswich and at representative fixtures for many years.
It is just another way the experienced cricketing administrator is able to remain involved in the game.
"Scoring's fun," he said.
"You get to meet a lot of interesting people and enjoy the game."
Madsen is determined to do a top-notch job at the country championships.
With a bit of luck, it will mean he is invited to continue the role with the EAP team at the 2014 championships.
It's in Canberra next year so I might get to that. My son (Nathan) is down there. I'll make sure I do a really good job.
