Round Six - Week 1
One Win Already – Broom to come?
In the first round of Two Day in Premier cricket Melbourne University Cricket Club has made a promising start against North Melbourne. The highlight was the 2nd XI securing 6 points already with them hoping to convert this to 10 next weekend. In the remaining premier grades respectable totals are on the board giving the bowlers something to defend. In the MCA the 5s are in with a big chance of getting the points as well.
In the 1st XI match at JJ Holland Park individual highlights were half centuries to Jarrod Leggett (78) and Nick Williams (67 not out). These contributions enabled the side to reach 8 for 241 at stumps. The other useful contributor was Scott Sanders with 40. It will now be up to the bowlers to take the 10 wickets to secure the points.
The 2nd XI lost the toss and were asked to field in perfect conditions. The only thing flatter than the deck was the 2nd XI skipper rueing another Derby Day missed.
Expecting a long hard slog where early wickets, held chances and disciplined lines would be key, Tim Rankin gave MUCC the perfect start with an edge in the first over after a bewildering display of batting from the North opener. From here Rankin produced one of the better displays of fast bowling. He bowled through the corridor, at good clip and mixed in yorkers and bumpers judiciously. With North 6 for 16 there was a chance of some records been broken but the deck was too good and the outfield too quick and a few small partnerships allowed the Kangas to get to 103.
Rankin was well supported by Hugh Van Cuylenburg and Tom Williams who bowled with discipline. Van Cuylenburg especially, was unlucky not to grab a couple more and probably would have had the Roos not decided to make their own difficult circumstances even more diabolical with 3 run outs. We still grassed three chances (albeit difficult ones) and pleasingly have a lot of upside left in us in the field. Tim Robertson was excellent behind the stumps. Perhaps missing Thursday training with a sketchy excuse is the perfect preparation for the 2's keeper? 20 x 100m on Wednesday thanks Robbo.
We set about ticking off the target first with a minimum of 55 overs to be bowled. Hutton came out of the gates continuing his strong start to the year, but when he had the attack by the throat, self combusted. From here Tim O'Brien (78*) and Huw Birrell (87) took over and batted extremely well. North bowled full and a foot outside off limiting scoring options, however O’Brien and Birrell were the more patient of the two combatants and consistently put away the inevitable bad ball and ran extremely well. After passing them and with the last hour arriving, we put the foot down, and Birrell especially, took the long handle to the Roos attack. Highlight undoubtedly his straight one-handed 6 which was accompanied by a cry of: "Two fifteen" as it left his bat. Elsmore thumped 34* and set us up to either bat on or bowl straight away depending on what the deck produces. Tim O'Brien would be well advised to leave the car at home next Saturday after his highest score for the club…
A pleasing day. Lots of work to be done during the week and 10 wickets to take for 10 points.
The MUCC 3rds ventured to Arden St for their fixture. Skipper Pat Halpin continued his fine form scoring 42 while Shiv Bardolia made 73. The side was dismissed just before stumps for a defendable 199. North faced 2 overs and are 0 for 3.
The 4th XI scored 210 at the Crawford. Matt Kiely (63) received the call up for the 5s and continued his fine form scoring another half century whilst anchoring the innings. Dan Hanrahan also contributed well scoring 49. The tenth wicket feel right on stumps leaving the full 80 overs next to capture the 10 wickets.
On Sunday out at Scammell Reserve in Oakleigh the 5th XI welcomed some old faces back to the fold against Emmanuel South Oakleigh. Returning for their first matches at the club this season were George Gabrielson and 2007/8 4th XI Premiership player Rob Baker. In difficult batting conditions MUCC were able to score 158. Youngster Jarryd Crisp was the backbone of the innings scoring 44. He was well supported by Laban Ditchburn with 33 and Hamish Bull (24). The lower order in Adam Pustola and Jose Mampallil contributed handy runs. Having 11 overs to bowl at the end the end of the day MUCC was off the perfect start. Four wickets in the first 5 overs saw the opposition 4 for 12. Pustola and Matt Ainsworth took 2 each. Unfortunately the 5th wicket could not be captured before stumps despite some near misses. At stumps ESO were 4 for 32 leaving MUCC in the box position.
The VWCA XI had the weekend off before taking on the undefeated Darebin next Saturday.