By Nick Creely
THERE is a reason that Steven Mullaney plays domestic cricket – and unfortunately Lynbrook paid a hefty price at Park Oval on Wednesday 2 November.
The 29-year old, captaining Buckley Ridges in the DDCA’s T20 competition, played an innings that even Chris Gayle would be proud of.
Mullaney belted his way to an unbelievable 77 off just 26 balls, including ten sixes, as the Bucks made a record 6/230 off their 20 overs.
The Lakers must have been counting their lucky stars that marquee player Dave Hussey was unavailable for the match.
It begs the question – what could the Bucks have posted if they had Hussey playing?
The Englishman’s strike rate was a whopping 296.15 throughout the innings, as the Lakers could only do so much.
Even neighbouring Shepley Oval was under attack as the ball peppered cars and had spectators ducking for cover in the electrifying knock.
To put into context just how dominant the Bucks were, the innings would sit inside the top 10 of all time for highest totals if it was an international match.
It was never going to end well for the Lakers, who made the decision to send in the Bucks despite a still and perfect Wednesday evening to bat.
The decent sized crowd was treated to some of the cleanest hitting you will see in Australia, as a whopping 26 sixes were hit over the course of the match.
Luckily for the Lakers they were able to dislodge dangerous duo Daniel Watson (13) and Luke Fletcher (27 off 20 balls) before they could inflict pain, but Susantha Pradeep provided the first lot of fireworks.
Pradeep, who has started the season in sparkling form, made a brutal 57 off just 31 balls, including two maximums.
With both Mullaney and Pradeep eventually sitting in the sheds at 5/200, the Lakers would have thought that the nightmare was coming to an end.
But some late striking by wicket-keeper Troy Aust (24 off 15 balls) and Hussain Ali (12 off 5) inflicted further pain.
Despite the avalanche, Lakers opening bowler Jarred Webb (2/26) could hold his head high, while Jay Waila (2/29) was able to dislodge the dangerous Mullaney and Aust.
In response, the Lakers never truly stood a chance despite an excellent innings by skipper Waila (43), who fought hard for his team before losing his wicket in a crucial moment.
Some big-hitting by Mohammed Hussaini (38), which included four sixes, helped the Lakers reach 5/140 off their 20 overs.
Lukas Hoogenboom was outstanding with 2/18, while Jonathon D’Rozario took three wickets in an impressive display through the middle of the innings.
The Bucks are currently 2-0 in the tournament, sitting atop the ladder of Group B.
Some other big performers on Wednesday evening included a brilliant 5/10 by Parkfield marquee Dylan Hadfield, a hat-trick by St Mary’s skipper Jake Needham, an unbeaten 83 from North captain Jurgen Andersen and the tournament’s first centurion, with Bulls marquee Brad Rossborough making 100 not out.
Other Results
Parkfield 7/137 (H. Alles 49, S. Nugara 27, M. Weeding 2/20, A. Pereira 2/26) def Springvale (M. Abbott 28, D. Hadfield 5/10)
St Mary’s 5/110 (J. Needham 30, S. Heldt 28, M. Dinnie 2/17) def Silverton 7/108 (C. Gottinger 54, J. Needham 3/11 (inc hat-trick)
North Dandenong 8/133 (J. Andersen 83*, C. McCartney 25, J. Webb 3/15, M. Brooks 2/36) def Narre North 84 (S. Brandon 27, S. Nicholls 2/5, J. Andersen 2/11, C. Thewlis 2/23)
Cranbourne 6/88 (L. Brown 2/14) def Heinz Southern Districts 87 (M. Davies 25, N. Sathyajith 4/19, C. Kelly 2/16, M. Chasemore 2/17)
Dandenong West 4/160 (B. Rossborough 100*, J. Weeks 29*) def Narre Warren 8/108 (M. Sultani 43*, P. Atkinson 2/1, R. Siwes 2/7)
Hallam Kalora Park 5/148 (L. Booth 53, S. Shah 3/18) def Narre South (S. Phillips 49*, J. Hussaini 29, J. Cutting 2/11, J. Hammond 2/26)
Springvale South 1/138 (B. Forsyth 57, M. Vandort 54*) def Fountain Gate 9/136 (A. Read 32, S. White 29, B. Healey 3/38, N. King 2/8, R. Priyan 2/22)
Round 3 will be played on 16 November.
