By JARROD POTTER
Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association – round 11 (week one)
HONOURS were split on a baking hot day at Pat Wright Senior Oval as Noble Park was unable to dig out Croydon (8/233) cheaply.
With no bowler able to take a long spell, the Bulls resorted to throwing the ball around as eight bowlers were used to varying effect against the visiting side.
Rizan Mawzoon (1/29) made his impact early as he sent Chris Wilson (11) from the crease by rearranging his stumps.
Anthony Salomon (2/18) would step up next to get Steven Wright (23) edging to the wicketkeeper Dirk Vandergert.
At 4/68 the visitors were circling the drain before Hagan Shakespeare (89 not out) breathed life into the batting innings.
Mevan Fernando (2/66) claimed a couple of wickets to keep Croydon from running away with their comeback but couldn’t shake Shakespeare from the crease, who was denied a well-deserved century by the VSDCA’s decision to limit the match to 65 overs for the day.
Captain Dean Edmunds will remember the day for something besides the sweltering heat as he ran out to play first XI cricket with sons Ben and Jaye.
Shakespeare’s 89 halted disaster and will give Croydon something to bowl at next week.
