Panthers pulverised

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.