By Nick Creely
THE annual DDCA Twenty20 competition got off to a start on Wednesday 27 October with big hits, spectacular catches, surprising results but some unfortunate weather capping off the first round.
Buckley Ridges v Springvale South
Buckley Ridges 6-157 (T. Aust 31, S. Ekanayake 31, D. Watson 30, L. Fletcher 30, R. Priyan 2-16, J. Straker 2-44) d Springvale South 8-153 (R. Quirk 81, S. Mullaney 5-22, H. Ali 2-27)
Streams of fans flocked to Park Oval to watch former International star David Hussey play for Buckley Ridges, with the champion batsman the headline act of Round 1 action.
The current Melbourne Stars captain was just one of many talking points in an electrifying clash between two stellar sides.
The Bloods, who have won the last two DDCA T20 titles, were going in as underdogs, something that has worked perfectly to their advantage before.
With cars littered across the ground expectant of some fireworks from the T20 pro, the expectations were high in this heavyweight clash.
There were stars everywhere but the foray of talent within the Bucks side was something to behold.
Featuring not only Hussey, were captain Steven Mullaney and Luke Fletcher, who are both current first-class cricketers.
With the Bloods batting first, they posted an ominous 8/153, with gun marquee Ryan Quirk slamming a destructive 81.
The innings was brutal with three massive sixes and three fours leaving the lengthy crowd ducking for cover.
It was a day to remember for the young star, having been named in the Victorian Metro Under 19 team just hours earlier.
Bucks skipper Steven Mullaney bowled an astonishing spell, taking 5-22.
Mullaney, 29, is a class above and will be one of the players to watch throughout the entire DDCA season.
T20 legend and marquee player Dave Hussey also bowled but was quite expensive, finishing with 0-26 off 3, while Hussain Ali also impressed with 2-27 off his spell.
With an imposing total to chase down, the firepower was just too much to handle for the Bloods.
It’s not as if the Bloods aren’t equipped with some great bowlers, it’s just that the Bucks possess one of the most potent batting line-ups ever seen in this competition.
Some of the hitting was just too much for the small ground to handle, with one huge six landing in the lake.
The ball had to be fished out with long tree branches by a member of the crowd, much to the amusement of both the crowd and players.
Daniel Watson (30), Luke Fletcher (30), Troy Aust (31) and Suren Ekanayake (31) all played vital knocks and each played some brutal strokes, while crowd drawer Dave Hussey only managed to make 8 before he fell to the groans of the crowd.
Huss, as he is called affectionately by the cricketing world, started his innings with a dashing boundary through, before holing to young left-arm spinner Brayden Sharp.
In the young spinner’s short career in cricket, this is sure to be his greatest highlight thus far.
With 1.5 overs to spare, the Bucks toppled the Bloods.
The game was perhaps an entre to what is set to be a mouthwatering main course, with both sides still yet to hit their peak.
The champion will have another chance next Wednesday when the Bucks host Lynbrook in a T20 at Park Oval.
Other Results
Narre North vs Berwick – Washed Out
Cranbourne 2-69 (L. Ligt 36*, J. Cleland 23) d Dandenong West 68 (S. Weir 29, M. Chasemore 4-14, C. Kelly 3-16)
Narre South 5-110 (L. Sperling 34, B. Humphrey 25, J. Kari 2-19) d St Mary’s 7-106 (R. Peat 29, S. Phillips 2-18)
Hallam Kalora-Park v Beaconsfield – Washed Out
Mordialloc 2-110 (D. Matarazzo 66*) d Narre Warren 7-109 (J. Russell 25, D. Frencham 2-12, D. Campbell 2-18, M. Newman 2-23)
North Dandenong 6-157 (C. Thewlis 34, S. Mehmood 34, A. Kerr 33, A. Kairon 2-21, A. Pereira 2-29) d Springvale 7-131 (S. Silva 42, T. Harsha 29) S. Nicholls 3-5, J. Andersen 2-18)
Fountain Gate v Dingley – Washed out
