By Nick Creely
It must have been one hell of a bus trip back home from Wodonga for Buckley Ridges last Sunday night, who advanced through to play on the MCG of the Regional Big Bash in February.
The Bucks – who are no strangers to winning Twenty20 competitions – jetted off to Les Cheesley Oval immediately after a thrilling Turf 1 victory over St Mary’s in a five-hour drive of anticipation, and put in a commanding performance against a less experienced Wodonga outfit. Signs were ominous early for the home side, with champion all-rounder DJ Watson (46) getting the Bucks off to a flyer with the bat, and the momentum didn’t relent as the highly fancied visitors put up 4/168 off their 20 overs.
Susa Pradeep (60), Greg Todd (32) and the highly impressive Rajitha Jayathunga (22) all made runs in an impressive display, feasting on the home side’s weaknesses and flaying the ball to all parts.
Wodonga were never truly in the contest, with the Bucks’ vast array of quality Twenty20 bowlers taking control from the outset. After putting on 43 runs for the first wicket; albeit slowly; the likes of Wes Nicholas (3/25), Greg Todd (3/23) and Jurgen Andersen (1/12) put the clamps down, holding the home side to 9/121 and showing a clinical side to their game.
Andersen and Watson (0/10) once again bowled with genuine pace, a major component of their game that makes them the most imposing Twenty20 side in the region.
The celebrations were rowdy for the Bucks on the bus trip home, with the powerhouse out of Park Oval in one of its most dominant positions in recent memory through all formats of the game. And they certainly celebrated as such.
The Bucks are no stranger to Twenty20 success, with eight DDCA Twenty20 titles next to their name, making them one of the most successful metropolitan white ball clubs in Victoria.
Troy Aust’s side will now play Mount Clear on the ’G on 20 February, and will be looking to make it their first Big Bash championship after two failed attempts in previous years.
They have defeated Cranbourne, South Caulfield, Pakenham and now Wodonga to make it to the grand final.
Buckley Ridges 4/168 (S.Pradeep 60, D.Watson 46, G.Todd 32) def Wodonga 9/121 (R.Jackson 39, D.Dixon 28, G.Todd 3/23, W.Nicholas 3/25
