By Hayley Wildes
WGCA DISTRICT AND SUB-DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY ONE)
Top placed Cranbourne Meadows sent a message to the rest of league that they mean business after piling on the runs against third placed Cardinia on day one of their clash at Heatherbrae Recreation Reserve.
Having lost their previous two outings after going undefeated through the first 11 rounds, the Rebels won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite their two openers, Sunny Paul (7) and Veerpartap Singh (7), falling cheaply to Trent Wheller (2/55), a masterful century from Jahanzaib Athar (129) anchored the innings.
Athar was sublime, hitting 19 boundaries and showing no mercy. Kulith Rabel (40) scored important runs, while Gurpeet Bhamra (67 not out) put on a show lower down the order to push the Rebels total out to an imposing 335 runs.
Brad Tanner (5/77) worked tirelessly in his 22 overs of bowling.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll looks set to hold onto second position after taking control of their contest against Clyde on day one.
The Cougars elected to bat first and got off to a strong start thanks to openers Trevor Bauer (41) and Joel Avard (20) combining for a 49-run partnership. But the Marygoons fought back strongly as Travis Gray (2/37) claimed key wickets.
Then, Sean Somers (6/46) absolutely caught fire to have Clyde’s batting line-up in disarray. He was irresistible in 21 overs of work, which included seven maidens and plenty of agony for the Cougars.
With Somers taking control of the innings, Clyde was dismissed for 149 in 54 overs.
In reply, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll faced 23 overs and will enter day two at 3/74 with Kallon Rigby (35 not out) and Darcy Taylor (11 not out) looking ominous at the crease.
In a battle between the two bottom placed teams, Tooradin will be looking to defend its total of 7/217 against Carlisle Park when play resumes on day two.
Opener Robert Simpson (28) was impressive, while the Seagulls got tremendous contributions from David Freeman (84) and Brayden Browne (45 not out), which helped steady the innings as others fell cheaply. Gurpreet Mall (4/40) was impressive for the Vikings and claimed the first three wickets of the innings.
The match between Officer and Emerald will be a one-dayer on Saturday as play was abandoned on day one due to the local bushfire emergency. With just six points separating Emerald in fourth and Officer in fifth, the winner will book their WGCA District finals ticket on the last day of the season.
SUB-DISTRICT
On the eve of finals, Lang Lang put together one of the most extraordinary innings’ in recent memory. The Tigers put the Lions to the sword with a brutal display of batting brilliance.
After William Wykes (7) was dismissed early, Jess Grima (231) and Rajind Dassanyake (70) went to work, piling on an incredible and ruthless 210-run stand for the second wicket.
Grima was simply on another level, smashing 24 boundaries and delivering blow after blow to Pakenham’s bowling unit. After a 210-run partnership, Grima then combined with skipper Ricky Caddell (96) for a stunning 161-run stand.
When Caddell was dismissed, just shy of a century, the Tigers stood at 3/395. Far from content, Grima continued on his merry way, this time connecting with Nathan Phillips (116 not out) for yet another 100-plus run partnership; piling on 127 runs.
Caddell’s 96 runs produced four fours and six sixes, while Phillips smashed 14 fours and eight sixes.
Three 120-plus run partnerships in the one innings is simply unheard of and eventually, Pakenham was put out of its misery when Lang Lang’s innings ended after 80 torturous overs at 5/545.
It’s fair to say the Lions will have their work cut out for them on day two.
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc and Kooweerup are locked in a tight battle heading into day two. The top placed Yabbies batted first, but with Ron Bright Jr (3/47), Paul Bright (2/3) and Jack Bacon (2/40) taking multiple wickets, the Demons were dismissed for 160.
Strong contributions from Brian Kulasena (59) and Sahan Wijeratne (41) ensured the Yabbies put on a somewhat defendable total.
Having to navigate 15 overs to finish day one, the Demons stumbled and will resume play on day two at 2/28 after Ben McLeod (2/10) delivered a deadly four-over spell.
Meanwhile, Catani was a class above Nyora.
The Maroons elected to bat first, but with Daniel Glover (3/16), Josh Bethune (2/6) and Josh Miller (2/12) taking multiple wickets, Nyora was dismissed for just 99 runs. Shane Warren (34 not out) played a lone hand for the Maroons.
In reply, the Cats got straight to work as openers Josh Bethune (72) and Dustin Peebles (83 not out) put on 97 runs for the first wicket. Leigh Adams (56) then partnered with Peebles and the pair put on 124 runs to see Catani post a dominant total of 1/221.
The clash between Merinda Park and Gembrook was abandoned on day one due to the local bushfire emergency and will be played as a one-dayer this weekend.
For more on Lang Lang’s incredible batting display, pick up a copy of next week’s Gazette.
