Two-ton Panther pair

By Paul Pickering
TEST pacemen Peter Siddle and Darren Pattinson could only watch and applaud as Dandenong’s batsmen took the long handle to Hawthorn-Monash University on Saturday.
Panthers openers Tom Donnell (131) and Brett Forsyth (130) put on 241 runs for the first wicket, smashing an eight-year-old club record and guiding the visitors to a commanding total of 4/347 on day one of the two-day clash.
Siddle and Pattinson were both cleared to play by the Victorian selectors, so Panthers skipper Darren Dempsey raised a few eyebrows by opting to bat first at the coin toss on Saturday morning.
His decision was vindicated by twin centuries to Donnell and Forsyth, who edged to 0/89 at lunch before exploding in the second session.
Forsyth’s ton – the first for any Panther batsman in 2008-09 – broke a frustrating run of unfulfilled starts for the Victorian rookie-contracted right-hander this summer.
Donnell, who joined Forsyth at the top of the order after the shock departure of Kumar Sarna last month, has now increased his average to almost 60 since assuming the opening role.
Dandenong coach Warren Ayres was delighted with his new dynamic duo.
“They’ve been tremendous,” he said.
“When Kumar went to India everyone thought ‘gee-whiz, what are we going to do?’ But Tom’s walked in and taken his spot beautifully.”
Hawks all-rounder and reigning Ryder medallist Steven Spoljaric finally separated the opening partners by dismissing Forsyth caught-behind, but Donnell, Matt Chasemore (32), James Nanopoulos (24) and Darren Dempsey (14 not-out) kept the home side on the rack.
Despite the formidable total and the likely availability of Siddle and Pattinson, Ayres is expecting a tough contest this weekend.
“Our plan was to bowl (first) before we got to the ground, but with the wicket being as good as it was, we just couldn’t do it,” he explained.
“So I think it’s still going to be hard work taking 10 wickets on that pitch.”
There was more good news for the Panthers on Saturday, with recent Victorian debutant James Pattinson making 127 for second XI at Shepley Oval.
Pattinson, who is captaining the Victorian under-19 team at the National Championships in Newcastle this week, came in at first-drop in the twos after being asked not to bowl on the eve of the tournament.
His century guided Dandenong to 7/378 at stumps. As the Star went to press on Wednesday, the Panthers were preparing to clash with Melbourne in the semi-final of the Primary Edge Cup Twenty20 tournament.
Dandenong smashed Fitzroy-Doncaster by 88 runs the previous Wednesday, with skipper Darren Dempsey blasting 71 from just 37 balls.
Bushranger stars Brad Hodge and Andrew McDonald were likely starters for the Demons in the semi.