Panthers labour for lucky draw

By Jarrod Potter
REARGUARD batting from Mick Sweeney and Jack Worrell helped Dandenong (8/162) salvage a draw in their two-dayer against Richmond (309).
Set 310 to chase by Richmond, Dandenong was in serious trouble at 6/54 when Sweeney and Worrell set about seeing out the day.
Worrell, making his two-day debut for the Panthers firsts, set about building a fortress and not getting out.
His partnership with Sweeney lasted 40 overs and helped Dandenong across the line.
Dandenong captain Darren Dempsey praised Worrell’s knock.
“He batted with tremendous maturity,” Dempsey said. “A 19-20 year old who was picked to bowl as an off-spinner.
“He bowled OK and did a reasonable job, but that partnership, while only worth 90 runs, went for 40 overs.
“In the context of us getting a draw, that was the difference.”
Sweeney’s step up over the last month, with a 50 against Northcote to go with the half-century he made on Sunday.
“240 balls and made two 50s and a not out 20 in his last three innings,” Dempsey said
“He’s starting to realise he’s good enough at the level.
“Hopefully he can kick on from here.”
With the ball, the performers weren’t as amazing as Richmond piled on the runs, which Dempsey highlighted.
“Justin Butterfield was our best, but I don’t think any of our bowlers bowled particularly well,” Dempsey said.
“We were too short and wide or full on leg stump, so it wasn’t our best day with the ball.
“Justin’s been battling over the last few weeks, so it’s good to see him perform with the ball.”
Dandenong face Geelong this week in a seventh versus eighth one-dayer at Shepley Oval.
Focus will be on Geelong’s Meyrick Buchanan, who recently turned his back on the AFL draft to sign a contract with the Victorian Bushrangers and Melbourne Renegades.
“They’ve won their last couple and snuck into the eight,” Dempsey said.
“They’re a dangerous side with the bat, who can take the game away from you.
“Buchanan being one of them.
“We go in confident, and it can help us put a gap between us and them.”