Panthers under

By Justin Robertson
DANDENONONG requires quick wickets in their fight against Melbourne this week.
The Panthers were dismissed for a meek 168 on an Albert Ground track that had plenty of life in it early and Melbourne were cruising at 2/120 at stumps – needing only a further 49 runs to claim a first innings victory.
Panthers skipper Darren Dempsey didn’t beat around the bush when assessing his team’s predicament.
“Quite bluntly we’ll battle to win from here,” he said. “We just need to try and curtail the damage as much as possible, take early wickets and hope for the best.”
The Panthers lost early wickets, that of Alex Hales (4) and left hander Troy Donnell (19), but when captain Darren Dempsey edged one outside off-stump to the keeper, Dandenong were 3/33 and clearly on the back foot.
The Albert deck assisted the bowlers early and while Adam Dale tied up one end, Smith was able to strike at regular intervals and ended the innings with 4/52.
“There was a little bit in it no doubt, it seamed around a bit early but by mid way through the day it turned out to be a good wicket,” Dempsey said. “They bowled OK but we also played some pretty ordinary shots.”
James Nanopoulos did his best to resurrect the innings with a solid 21 but he departed when the score was 55 and was soon followed into the shed by James Pattinson (17) and Peter Sweeney (3) at 5/74.
A gutsy knock by bowler Brett Fairbanks (47) and a quick fire 23 by Paul Boraston gave the Panthers some hope of defending a small target, but Melbourne has started strong in their chase losing only two wickets thus far thanks to a Kent 43. Hill (34) and Keath (21) are the two not out batsmen.
‘It was too little too late by then but it definitely showed how flat the wicket got,” Dempsey said. “We’ll be looking to take some momentum out of Saturday’s game and into Sunday’s one day semi final.”