THERE is a lot to like about David Coulthard's game, and it is not just reserved to his batting or bowling.

Sure, the kid can play, but it is his attitude and temperament that could be most crucial as the Miallo junior continues to raise eyebrows of talent scouts around the country.

Like at Loder Park in Atherton last week, when at just 15 years of age Coulthard was asked to open United's second innings.

He finished 39 not out, against the fastest bowler in the competition, no less.

Earlier this year the all-rounder became the first Far Northern junior to make an Australian schoolboy cricket team since Jimmy Maher, and soon after was the recipient of a bursary that carried Maher's very name.

From there he travelled to the United Arab Emirates, playing nine limited-over matches against first-grade sides that featured members of the UAE's national team.

On that two-week tour they played on a concrete pitch one day and one better than Cazalys the next.

Picked primarily as a bowler, the left-arm seamer took nine wickets and claimed one man of the match award.

Then he flew home and the season started.

He has continued to flourish though, debuting for United's first grade side and producing with bat and ball for the Far North under-17s to help them to a North Queensland title.

Coulthard and five more of the region's most talented cricketers will line up for the North Queensland under-17s in Brisbane from today and between them they've got all the bases covered.

Batsmen Travis Argoon and Grant Phillips, 'keeper Mason Clarke, spinner Andrew Phelps and quick Tom Edwards have all been in scintillating form this season.

"Our side was very good on paper, but what was great was that when we got in trouble in a game we were able to find a way out of it," Coulthard said of their under-17 team. "In our last game we were 5-38 and chased down 190-odd."

While regarded as a bowling allrounder, Coulthard showed he had plenty to offer with the bat with his knock against Atherton.

"The 'keeper was standing a fair way back, but I got through it and was probably a bit relieved when Mitch (Steele) stopped his spell early," Coulthard said modestly. "But playing with United has been great and coach Ash Hammond has really helped me a lot."

North Queensland play a 50-over game today at Allan Border Field, followed by two T20 games tomorrow.

While that is happening, Coulthard's teammate Linden March will also be in Brisbane for the final round of the KFC T20 Challenge tomorrow, playing for the Country Infernos against the Flames.

March will play alongside Nathan Reardon, who starred for the Bulls in their defeat of Tasmania on Wednesday, as well as fellow Bulls Nathan Hauritz and Luke Feldman.

From that tournament, one player will be chosen for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League this season.

Locally, Atherton will be searching for a win against Norths to get themselves in the finals mix, while the United v Mulgrave and Cyclones v Rovers clashes are shaping as tight contests.

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