By JARROD POTTER
IT WAS 80 overs of pain for Dandenong as both Twenty20 clashes in this season’s Victorian Premier Cricket Bush Bash went against them.
St Kilda (2/149cc) belted the Panthers first up on Saturday morning about Ballarat as Graeme Rummans (91no) hit the stuffing out of the Dandenong attack with only Nathan Lambden (1/28) taking a wicket.
The dog morning continued for the Panthers as St Kilda smashed them all out for 65. Falling to 7/37 at one stage, Rob Hearn (25) was left to hold on for grim life at the death with James Wilcock (10) also showing a bit of battle. The resolve proved fleeting as the Panthers failed to bat out their overs – succumbing in the 16th over for a scant 65.
Their second effort for the day didn’t prove much better, with the Panthers making 7/112cc against Greenvale Kangaroos.
Andrew Gale (43) was the key slugger for Dandenong – with Tom Donnell (18), Dan Doran (17) and Hearn (11) chipping in to push the tally towards a defendable mark.
Greenvale took all but four balls to chase it down with Eric Ghasperidis (41) the best of the Kangaroos as Dan Doran (2/21) was the best of the Panthers’ bowlers.
The next round of Twenty20s takes place this weekend as Dandenong faces Carlton and Casey-South Melbourne.