By ROY WARD
FORMER Sheffield Shield cricketer Daniel Doran made the most of his luck to notch a resounding century for Dandenong against Northcote at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
Doran, who joined the Panthers during the off-season, made 111 from 105 balls with 16 fours and a six to lead the Panthers to 3-388 from 80 overs.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the big game.
Panthers captain Tom Donnell called the innings to a close with seven overs remaining. The home side attempted to steal a late wicket but the visitors hung tough to be 0-22 at stumps.
It was a day of partnerships for the Panthers with Donnell (89) teaming with Charith Cooray (58) to make 116 for the first wicket in hot, difficult conditions before Donnell and Doran put on 130 for the second wicket.
English import Steven Mullaney (80 not out from 67 balls) and Mick Sweeney (36no off 37) took the Panthers to their declaration.
Doran said his innings was set up by Donnell and Cooray batting through the first 35 overs on a wicket that gave the bowlers some help early on.
“The pitch was pretty good but it was tough at the start,” he said. “When I got out there the bowlers didn’t have much going on for them and when you don’t get early wickets on those 38-40 degree days then it gets very hard from then on.”
The former Queensland Sheffield Shield player made his runs in quick time, punishing the tiring bowlers in his first innings batting at No 3 after batting as an opener and as a No. 4 and No. 5 batsman this Premier Cricket season.
“No. 3 was the last one on the list,” Doran joked. “I said I don’t care where I bat, I will just fill a hole, but they had to move me from No 5 as I got a golden duck batting there in our previous two-day match at Shepley.
“In that match the ball hit my thigh pad, my elbow, my glove and then hit the stumps, so you have to chance your arm and take the luck when it comes and that was what I did this time.”
Donnell wasn’t so lucky, falling after the teams had to play an extra over before drinks due to the fluids not being ready.
“The two of us both remembered we had got a wicket against Prahran earlier in the season when the drinks were not ready and Tom said, ‘don’t worry, it won’t happen this time’ — then he hit it straight to cover,” Doran said. “It was just bad luck, really. If he doesn’t get out he probably pushes on and makes 150.”
Doran also bowls leg-spin and expects to get his chance to take a few wickets when play resumes this Saturday.
“It should be a flat deck on Saturday, so I should be needed. Although all our quicks are doing the job, when you are called upon you need to take your chance.”
The Panthers resume play against Northcote at Shepley Oval this Saturday at noon.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow
the Weekly at
facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter
@DandenongJournal.
