Sandhurst Vs MCC XXIX's
Sunday November 30th
It was Sandhurst’s turn to host the annual Cricket clash with the MCC XXIX’s and Bendigo served up some of the best weather seen this summer. Sandhurst were able to field a relatively strong side with six regular first XI players coming up against an unknown quantity in the MCC side.
Anthony West was given the opportunity to lead the side and was invited to bat first for convenience purposes. With a conglomerate of 1st and 2nd XI players Westy was able to give some batsmen some much needed time up the order and the first two to prosper were openers Brenton Jones and Joel Schneider. The pitch that had provided so many hidden demons just 24 hours earlier was now a batsman’s paradise. Against a more than handy bowling attack Schnitzel & BJ played flawless cricket in first playing themselves in and then expanding their stroke play as the shine was knocked from the ball.
In a 45 over contest the run rate was still a consideration and the pair bought up their 50 partnership in the 18th over. BJ was enjoying the lion’s share of the strike and when the pair bought up their 100 run partnership in the 29th over the rest of the batting order was looking at the possibility of not getting a hit. The captain gave the instructions to lift the run rate and Brenton went in search of a century until his innings was ended in the 33rd over on 88 from just 119 balls caught on the fence at deep mid wicket in an innings that included 7 fours and two sixes thus ending a 143 run opening stand.
Joel Schneider was also given the hurry up and increased the pace making a stylish fifty from 86 balls before he was retired. Mark Keck and Dylan Gibson also in search of some time in the middle and both made handy contributions with Kecky 26 and Dylan 24no building a total of 3 for 214 from 45 overs. A breakdown of the innings shows that Sandhurst was able to score 128 runs from the final 20 overs including 76 runs from over 25 through 35.
Sandhurst also had numerous bowling options at their disposal, but ensuring he didn’t ask too much of his bowlers who were backing up just 24 hours after their last hit out Westy would need to be selective in the bowlers he used. Andy Sheehan and Chooka opened up and umpire Schneider who’s arm had mysteriously gone to sleep during Sandhurst’s innings was soon functional in just the 6th over Chooka claiming an LBW for the first wicket with just 9 on the board.
Andy Sheehan left nothing to chance with umpire Schneider in the 9th over when he bowled opener Pat Khan as the XXIX’s were struggling at 2 for 13. From their the MCC began to consolidate and picked up the scoring rate. Chooka who was bowling out claimed the crucial 3rd wicket of the innings in his 8th over as the XXIX’s fell to 3 for 46 in the 16th over. This bought Michael Cornish to the crease a man who had enjoyed success in these contests at this ground previously. Along with Liam Ridley the pair added 70 for the 4th wicket until Kecky who had been held back in order to give some other bowlers an opportunity claimed the big scalp of Cornish bowled for 36 to leave the XXIX’s 4 for 116 in the 28th over and requiring a further 99 to win from 17 overs.
This bought Pat O’Donnell to the crease and like a powder keg he exploded from the get go dispatching all and sundry to the fence and beyond as all bowlers received the treatment. Kecky claimed the valuable wicket of Ridley for 52 caught behind by Joel. Despite receiving some treatment from the batsmen Dylan Gibson persisted and claimed XXIX’s skipper Matt Stein caught and bowled with a beautiful piece of deception.
Westy was looking for answers, as whilst O’Donnell remained at the crease the XXIX’s always looked favourites to win and receiving solid support from his partners pushed towards the target until umpire Schneider again sprung into action feeling the boys needed a lift and joined the boys in a confident LBW appeal to have Brenton Dillon on his way LBW to Brenton Jones with the total on 179 with 8 overs remaining.
Each extra wicket was building the pressure more and more onto potential match winner O’Donnell and with some tight bowling limiting the amount of strike O’Donnell was able to receive the result was virtually assured when in the 43rd over Anthony West held on to an outfield catch from Jones’ Bowling to end O’Donnell’s innings on 63 from just 40 balls.
The following over saw Andy Sheehan claim the final wicket as the MCC XXIX’s were dismissed for 202 in the 44th over and 12 runs short of the Dragons total and handing Westy a win in his first game as a captain at the club. The win is a much needed confidence boost for the club and a big thank-you to both sides for providing such an entertaining contest. Firstly thanks to umpire Schneider for such an accomplished performance, to the Dragons players, their families as well as supporters and officials for giving up their Sunday to support the concept and also to the XXIX’s side particularly those that travelled from Melbourne for the day and those called in by Phil White from United CC to ensure the MCC was able to fill a side. Each captain was asked to select a Man of the Match for the opposing side and in two clear cut decisions Matt Stein of the XXIX’s selected Brenton Jones for his 88 at the top of the Sandhurst innings, whilst Anthony West selected the excitement machine Pat O’Donnell for his 64 run knock as the MCC XXIX‘s Man of the Match.
The Dragons most definitely look forward to the return encounter down in Melbourne next season as I am sure the XXIX‘s side will be keen to exact some revenge for their narrow defeat.
Sandhurst Cricket Club Vs Melbourne Cricket Club 29s
Sunday November 30th @ QEO
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