Dandenong opener Brett Forsyth, pictured, and partner Kumar Sarna laid a sound platform for the Panthers successful run chase at Shepley Oval on Saturday. By Paul Pickering
DEFIANT teenagers James Pattinson and Kumar Sarna absorbed a verbal barrage from Melbourne University to guide Dandenong to a dramatic final-over victory at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
The pair, who will represent Australia in the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia next month, were targeted by the Uni boys in an attempt to unnerve the Panthers young guns.
But Sarna and Pattinson had the last laugh, combining to bookend Dandenong’s successful run chase in the rain-shortened one-day game.
Sending Uni in after a two-hour rain delay, the Panthers managed to restrict the visitors to a total of 9/172 from their allotted 32 overs.
And despite copping an earful from the Uni fielders, openers Sarna and Brett Forsyth launched the Panthers into the chase.
Sarna (52) took up the challenge immediately, flaying Uni’s new ball attack around his home park with disdain in a 29-ball half-century that include six fours and two sixes.
When he was eventually trapped in front by Uni quick Ashley Robertson, Forsyth (23) and the in-form Ricky Damiano (39) took up the battle, advancing the score to 2/109.
But after the Panthers middle order folded, losing 5/49, it was left to 17-year-old Pattinson to assume centre stage in a tense final over.
Requiring seven runs for a crucial win, Dandenong lost Darren Pattinson and Matt Chasemore – both skittled by Uni’s Brett Harrop – in quick succession to leave ‘Junior’ at the crease needing two runs in as many balls.
And to his team-mates’ delight, Pattinson calmly lashed Harrop’s full-pitched delivery through the packed covers for a match-winning boundary.
Pattinson’s heroics with the willow complemented handy figures of 2/27 with the ball.
So when Dandenong playing coach Warren Ayres was questioned as to how impressive Pattinson’s performance was, the understated Panthers supremo was liberal in his praise.
“You’ve got to be impressed with that kid all the time,” he said.
“He’s going to be a good player.”
And while Ayres was disappointed with the treatment given to his young tyros, he took great satisfaction in seeing Uni’s hostile tactics backfire.
“We fielded first and didn’t say a word,” he said.
“But you get some teams that like to say a bit, so I was glad to see (Pattinson and Sarna) do well.”
The vital six-point result elevates the Panthers to 10th on the ladder, still just two points outside the top eight.
According to Ayres, who lamented Dandenong’s penchant for doing things the hard way, there can be no let-up against struggling cross-town rival Casey-South Melbourne over the coming fortnight.
“We can’t take any opposition lightly, because if you do they’ll come back and bite you on the bum,” he said.
The Panthers and Swans will do battle at Casey Fields from 11am this Saturday.
