By JARROD POTTER
DANDENONG (1/42) would be happy overall to restrict Prahran to 169, but will wonder what could have been as the visitors fell to 6/32 in round seven, Premier Cricket action on Saturday.
James Wilcock had Prahran’s top order by the throat as he bowled rockets in tandem with Justin Butterfield (1/47). Their opening 13 overs reaped six wickets as Prahran failed to get set, including Australian batsman David Hussey (18) and former English all-rounder Dimiti Mascarenhas (3).
Wilcock was on fire from the scoreboard end as everything reaped early rewards at Shepley Oval. After snaring a simple caught-and-bowled return from Hussey and a sharp catch from Cameron Forsyth to dismiss Matt Wilcox (0), the visitors were in peril at 6/32 and the Dandenong openers would’ve been preparing for a quick bat.
However, Prahran had other ideas. James Miller (40) hunkered down and held off the early barrage with captain Sam Coates (16) also helping take the shine off the destructive newer ball. Prahran extended its spree as Nathan McNally (53) belted a half-century from number nine. Matt Willcocks (3/30) chipped in to help push aside Miller, Coates and McNally before the spin of Dan Doran (1/24) claimed the last wicket to dismiss the visitors for 169 off 78.3 overs.
Taking their mark at the crease, Dandenong opener Tom Donnell (9) fell early to Miller (1/17) before Brett Forsyth (29no) and new recruit Andrew Gale (4no) stabilised the innings.
The match resumes on Saturday at Shepley Oval.
