Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club emerged from last weekend’s back-to-back round of T20s pretty much where they started, suffering a loss to Kingston Hawthorn on Saturday, before bouncing back with a solid win against Melbourne on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Cats were never in the game, only managing a paltry 114 in reply to their host’s 9/158. Nathan Alexander (3/31) returned the best bowling figures, while Josh Cobb (30) looked the only dangerous batsman.
At home the following day, Australian star Cameron White (85*) set up a healthy first innings total of 3/156, however Tim Ludemann (55) showed his Big Bash experience to lead the side to an impressive eight-wicket win, Cobb (50) again playing an important role.
This weekend, another T20 double header is scheduled – the side will travel to Prahran on Saturday, before hosting Footscray on Sunday.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, the all important Division 1 match between Geelong City and Grovedale at Richmond Crescent is evenly poised after day one, although the Sharks have Richie Oliver to thank for being in the game at all.
The star English import showed why he is considered the best batsman in the competition with a brutal 128 off just 110 balls at the top of the order, incredibly the team score was just 137 when he was dismissed.
Jacob Nolan (43) was the only other meaningful contribution though, as the rest of the side struggled to reach 252, a competitive total, but one that perhaps could have been larger after such a dominant platform was set early.
Grovedale faced three overs to finish play on day one, doing so without loss, while wiping 11 runs off the deficit.
The strong Tigers batting line-up will back themselves to chase down this target; while the Sharks bowlers, who lack penetration at times, will need to be ultra disciplined and be backed up by their fielders if they are to win this one.
In Division 2, the match of the round between Marshall and Bell Post Hill is evenly poised following a see-sawing first day’s play. The Bears batted first and reached 1/50, before a mini-collapse saw them precariously placed at 5/102.
The strong Marshall middle order rallied though, with Jack Cole (55), Mitch McCoach (47) and Stan Grazotis (50*) ensuring a competitive total of 236 was reached.
For the Panthers, Luke Zanchetta (4/28) continued his great form, bowling 23 overs for the day.
This game will go down to the wire tomorrow, the side that can hold their nerve for longer will be the winner.
And in division three, Alexander Thomson were simply outclassed by Thomson, managing just 101 in 55 overs, Jayden Hicks (4/27) the early destroyer for Thomson, before veteran Grant Dew (5/23) cleaned up the tail with his wily off-spin.
Dew (28*) then opened the batting, helping his side to 1/59 at stumps.
Thomson will be sniffing an outright on day two, and if they can reproduce the same form again, may well pull it off.
