By Nick Creely
DANDENONG DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
TURF 1 & 2
REVIEW – ROUND 1 (Day 1)
DANDENONG WEST v CRANBOURNE
Cranbourne has proven they are capable of scoring a match winning total without Matt Chasemore and Steve Spoljaric after an excellent day’s cricket against Dandenong West at Greaves Reserve.
Sent in to bat by Bulls’ skipper Shanuka Dissanayaka, the Eagles got off to a tough start losing David Pratt’s stumps to Peter Atkinson for a duck, before a string of middle order partnerships saw them bat through the day to finish on 8/238.
Eagles’ skipper Lucas Ligt (39) led the charge with a classy innings batting at four, while the likes of Cameron Kelly (46), Nivin Sathyajith (55) and Jake Harrington (35) all worked in partnerships to frustrate the hosts.
Ligt was proud his young team could start the season so positively after a string off on-field departures put a hole in their side.
“What we worked for all pre-season, and the plans we put in place was virtually 100 per cent executed on the weekend,” he said.
“We talked about batting in partnerships and setting some goals, and we achieved virtually every one of them – we wanted to be three down at lunch and we were four down which was okay, and then Harro (Jake Harrington) and Niv (Nivin Sathyajith) set the whole day up for us really.
“Cam Kelly batted quite low in previous years, and used to open back in the day and when he started his senior career at Cranny, and he put his hand up and said he was keen to open, and it’s given us some depth – he took his opportunity and delivered.”
Looking ahead to Saturday when the Eagles attempt to defend what was the opening weekend’s highest team score, Ligt has confidence his bowlers will be hungrier than ever.
“Our bowlers have worked all pre-season to 80 over plans and we want to execute that – I’ve said the whole way that whoever bowls the most disciplined areas will bowl the most overs and our guys have happily taken on that challenge,” he said.
“I think if we execute our plans with a strong fielding side too we’ll be right – we bought Harley Miller in who hasn’t played for a few years and his fielding is exceptional and if we are sharp in that area we will shock a few teams this year.”
DINGLEY v BERWICK
Berwick is in a commanding position on a dominant opening day of cricket at Souter Oval against Dingley, with the Bears needing just a further 68 runs for victory.
Sent in to bat on a tricky wicket, Dingoes coach Matt Hague (76) stood tall at the top-of-the-order, with quickies James Wilcock (5/49) and Jarrod Armitage (1/64) snaring early wickets.
A 69-run stand between Hague and all-rounder Christo Otto (42) got the Dingoes back on track, before Wilcock shredded the middle to late order in a devastating spell that included three wickets in a matter of three overs.
Eventually, the Dingoes fought their way to 174 after a late cameo by Marc King (34 not out).
The Bears wasted no time in moving towards a match-winning position, with opening bats Darren de Souza (32) and Adam Watson (51 not out) sharing a faultless 69-run partnership.
Spinner Dinuka Hettiarchchi (1/28) picked up the late wicket of de Souza, but the Bears ended the day 1/107.
NORTH DANDENONG v MORDIALLOC
A sparkling century to Mordialloc all-rounder Ian Daniel has the Bloodhounds in an imperious position against North Dandenong at Lois Twohig Reserve.
Sent in to bat, Daniel was brutal, spanking six sixes and 11 boundaries on his way to an incredible 123 as the Bloodhounds racked up 216 off 75 overs.
In his first game as a Maroon, Asfan Thajudeen (4/45) did some fantastic work through the middle overs.
With just five overs left in the day’s play, the Maroons lost three wickets courtesy of quickie Chathura Athukorala (3/6) to be left rattled at 3/17.
Syed Mehmood (9) and Shehan Fernando (1) will attempt to rescue the Maroons when they resume next week.
HALLAM KALORA PARK v SPRINGVALE SOUTH
An evenly poised contest is set to go deep into day two, with Hallam and Springvale South playing out a fascinating day of cricket.
Hallam skipper Steve Gilmour elected to bat, and despite no batsman able to capitalize on starts, the likes of Ben Hillard (35), Jagveer Hayer (42) and Jordan Hammond (47) ensured they posted a competitive total of 200 off 75.1 overs.
It was truly a day for the spinners, with Malinga Bandara (4/63) and Jarryd Straker (4/49) dominating the day and bowled 50 overs between them, while reigning Wookey medalist Steve Spoljaric snared 1/33 off seven overs on his first day as a Blood.
In reply, the Bloods lost star opener Nathan King (7) caught behind off Gilmour, and are currently sitting at 1/9 off four overs.
BUCKLEY RIDGES v NARRE WARREN
Janaka Liyanabadalge’s stellar career in Narre Warren colours continued on Saturday, with the classy batsman compiling a brilliant 93 against Buckley Ridges.
Liyanabadalge crossed 1000 runs as a Magpie as he enters his third season at the club, and guided his side to a strong position at stumps.
Helped on by opener Jarrod Russell (43), the Magpies managed to post 213 against one of the competition’s premier bowling attacks, with Jurgen Andersen (4/39) on song in his first game for the Bucks and Lukas Hoogenboom (3/39) taking some vital wickets.
The Bucks survived three late overs to finish the day at 0/6.
ST MARY’S v HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
St Mary’s have a lot of work to do if they wish to remain competitive against the Cobras at Carroll Reserve, with the visitors in the box seat for victory after a dominant day of cricket.
The Saints sent the Cobras in, and openers Trevor Davies (49) and Brad Downe (23) setting the tone with a 75-run opening stand that eventually saw them post 234.
Cobras’ skipper Matt Cox (44) and Michael Davies (70) combined brilliantly in the middle order despite a terrific bowling performance from spearhead Ashan Anthony (5/42).
The Saints are 1/3 off three overs after an early Kaushalya Weeraratne (1/0) wicket.
TURF 2
COOMOORA v BEACONSFIELD
A six-wicket-haul to Beaconsfield captain/coach Matt Golding (6/48) has the Tigers in a potential outright position against Coomoora.
Sent in to bat by Golding, Coomora couldn’t handle the skipper’s swing and seam, and despite a fighting 67 by Joel Robertson were bowled out for 153.
In reply, the Tigers are cruising through overseas recruit Josh Mailing (50 not out), who has guided his side to 1/73 at stumps.
Mailing and Golding (9 not out) will resume next week.
LYNDALE v NARRE SOUTH
It doesn’t matter what level Scott Phillips plays at, he always has a commanding presence.
His side Narre South is in a perilous position against Lyndale and will be eyeing off an outright victory next week.
Phillips came in at 2/42 after the loss of Ashan Wijayakumara for 13, and didn’t leave the ground until he was dismissed with his side on 274 and himself having blasted 125, a knock that included 11 fours and three sixes.
The Lions declared only moments after Phillips departed at 7/276 off 58.3 overs, before Lyndale fought their way to 2/52 at stumps.
Phillips (2/27 off 11 overs) once again caused headaches, picking up both Ben Montgomery (4) and Priyan De Silva (33) cheaply.
OTHER RESULTS
In other matches across the Turf 2 grade, St Brigid’s/St Louis scored 173 against Parkmore Pirates, who are currently 1/19 at stumps, Narre North is in a strong position against Parkfield after scoring 203, Fountain Gate were dominant with the bat to post 260 off the back of a 99 not out to Ruwan Galappatthy, while Keysborough and Lynbrook is evenly poised, with the Lakers needing a further 123-runs to win with eight wickets in hand.
