By Nicholas Creely
DDCA Twenty20
ROUND 3 REVIEW
Finally, there was a night that was perfect for cricket.
With the season so interrupted through the unpredictable Melbourne weather, it was a refreshing sight on Wednesday 16 November, as the sun shone, and with it came some of the best Twenty20 action in Victoria.
The barbecues and the beers were popular and out in full swing as the DDCA padded up for its third round of action and Cranbourne continued its ongoing dominance around the competition.
There was some upsets, most notably St Mary’s, which stunned competition favourites Hallam-Kalora Park while sides continued to prove their wares while others floundered.
Dingley continue to surprise everyone this season, once again annihilating its opposition.
There were big hits, stunning catches and some brilliant individual performances.
CRANBOURNE DEF NARRE WARREN
For over a decade Matthew Chasemore has been one of the most revered cricketers in Victorian club cricket.
And on Wednesday evening ‘Cheeks’ was at his devastating best, thumping an electrifying 87 off just 49 deliveries as the Eagles thumped the Magpies by 37 runs.
The knock, which included six sixes, lifted the Eagles to an imposing yet not colossal total of 5/156.
When Eagles champ Steven Spoljaric (4) was bundled out by Magpies seamer Matin Sultani, the Eagles re-constructed the innings through opening batsman Lucas Ligt (41) and Chasemore, who put on 133 runs.
But some late wickets lifted the strong Magpies home crowd who managed to keep the score below 160, when at one stage it seemed the Eagles were going to make a score of more than 200.
Magpies opening bowler Matin Sultani (2/26) was impressive while spinner Imran Laghamani (0/15 off three overs) bowled accurately.
As the Magpies openers walked out too bat, there was a sense of optimism and energy, knowing that the total was gettable with the home crowd encouraging them along.
But constant wickets halted the Magpies, as the Eagles immensely talented bowling unit took complete control.
Apart from marquee player Simon Parrott (41), who was aggressive despite the dominos falling around him, the Magpies batting side collectively failed around him.
Steven Spoljaric (2/13 off four) was once again enormous with the new ball, combining brilliantly with Cameron Kelly (2/27) to squeeze the life out of the Magpies.
Cameron Dinger (1/10), who was the Turf 1 last year in the grand final, bowled with excellent control, subtlety and accuracy, bogging the Magpies down.
Eventually the Magpies lost the game, batting out their overs to finish on 7/119 off their 20 overs.
The Eagles are now perched well and truly at the top of Group A, while Narre Warren continue to struggle since the loss of at least a dozen players over the off-season.
Other results
BUCKLEY RIDGES 5/116 (S. Pradeep 51, J. Hobbs 29, D. Jose 3/8) d FOUNTAIN GATE 9/115 (R. Hendy 29, W. Nicholas 3/15, M. Goodwright 3/15)
BERWICK 4/99 (N. Pilon 36, J. Wills 25*) d PARKFIELD 6/97 (J. Wilcock 4/11)
BEACONSFIELD 2/85 (M. Mitchell 40*, B. Singh 2/14) d SILVERTON 5/84 (C. Tout 2/6)
HEINZ-SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 3/149 (M. Cox 61, K. Weeraratne 33*, J. Manning 30) d MORDIALLOC 3/145 (I. Daniel 84*, D. Mapa Ralalage 32*, M. Davies 2/25)
ST MARY’S 9/145 (R. Serpanchy 31, W. Pires 27*, J. Hammond 3/27) d HALLAM-KALORA PARK 7/128 (A. Anthony 2/14, J. Needham 2/26)
NARRE NORTH 9/126 (S. Brandon 64, A. Pereira 2/14, T. Harsha 2/15, P. Rodrigo 2/19, M. Abbott 2/40) d SPRINGVALE 6/120 (S. Silva 29, M. Abbott 25, L. Rogers 3/14)
DINGLEY 9/115 (T. Sawers 27, I. Shariffie 3/23, S. Veal 2/14, J. Webb 2/28) d LYNBROOK 92 (M. Hussaini 27, C. Otto 3/10, J. Chaturanga 3/14, T. Sawers 2/21)
ROUND 4 – 30 NOVEMBER (5.15pm)
Parkfield v Narre North, Parkfield Reserve
Beaconsfield v Narre South, Perc Allison Oval
Berwick v North Dandenong, Arch Brown Reserve
Mordialloc v Dandenong West, Ben Kavanagh Reserve
Dingley v Springvale South, Souter Oval
Heinz-Southern Districts v Narre Warren, Reedy Reserve 1
Silverton v Hallam-Kalora Park, Turner Reserve
Lynbrook v Fountain Gate, Marriott Waters Reserve 1
