By Justin Flynn
North Geelong’s Alistair McCann spun his team to victory with a six-wicket haul against Highton in the penultimate round of Geelong Cricket Association on Saturday February 24.
Deafening a hefty 290, the Magpies were able to roll the Heat out for 191 despite a superb 77 from Greg Willows and rearguard 39 from number nine Errol Burns.
Left-arm finger spinner McCann took 6/30 from a whopping 30 overs and speedster Dale Kerr grabbed 4/66 from 21.
After playing his trade in the state’s north at Moama and Central Park/St Brendan’s, McCann made the move to North Geelong four years ago and hasn’t looked back.
“It was good to actually get a decent bowl,” he said.
“Early in the year, I think I played a couple games and I didn’t bat or bowl because our team just pretty much did the job, so it was good just to actually have a bowl. It doesn’t really matter who gets them, as long as we keep winning.”
At one stage on Saturday, Willows was pushing Highton to a decent score.
“Greg Willows at one stage I think he was 60 off 50 balls and it was like, oh, he’s going to chase it down by himself,” McCann said.
“I remember just saying ‘if we can just bowl some dots it would be really good.”
Once Willows departed, trapped in front by Kerr, McCann got well on top of the Highton batters.
The return of two-day cricket this season has been a good thing for McCann.
“In the one-dayers I’m trying to slide the ball on as a left-armer and then with the two-day stuff you do try and probably challenge both inside and outside of the bat,” he said.
“So you try and sneak blokes off but also try to think it through.”
The Magpies will finish minor premiers if they defeat, or draw with, Grovedale in the final round.
GROVEDALE chased down St Joseph’s 276 in a thriller. Brayden Engelen-Baker top scored with 79 and Rob Smith made a quick 42 while Austin Humphrey took three wickets for Joeys. The win moved Grovedale up to third on the ladder while Joeys are clinging onto fourth.
EAST BELMONT sent South Barwon from third to sixth on the ladder. Resuming at 1/75 in pursuit of 112 for victory, Sean O’Neill (76) and Luke Inglis (43 not out) enabled East Belmont to declare at 3/209. Jasper George (79 from as many deliveries) was defiant in denying the outright although Brendan Klein-Boonschate bowled superbly to take 6/23 from 18 overs. South Barwon must defeat Lara and hope that two of Grovedale, St Joseph’s and Newtown & Chilwell lose to make finals.
NEWTOWN & CHILWELL’s finals hopes remained alive after a 41-run win against Lara. Chasing 196 for victory, the Two Blues were led by Ronnie McKenna, who racked up 106 from 201 deliveries while captain Dylan Hodge put the finishing touches on the win with a rapid unbeaten 46 from 19 balls. Daniel Blatherwick (5/74 from 25 overs) continued his stellar season for Lara. Newtown & Chilwell needs to defeat Highton and hope that one of Grovedale or St Joseph’s lose to play finals.
