Kerang v Murrabit
Murrabit’s Northern District Cricket Association’s premiership defence is off to the best possible start after a fantastic bowling comeback took Kerang’s final nine wickets for 61 runs.
After posting an impressive total of 196 from 36.4 overs, Murrabit looked set for a shock loss when Kerang were 1/102 after 17 overs.
Opening batsman Declan Hogg was smashing them to all parts of Riverside Park.
In his only over for the game, Murrabit’s Simon Ettershank would be the match-turner, snaring the key wicket of Hogg, who departed for a blistering 79.
The dismissal of Mitchell Dwyer for 1 followed the next over.
Wickets at regular intervals killed the Kerang’s early momentum as the reigning champions flexed their muscles.
Last season’s competition-leading wicket taker Simon Kelly continued where he left off with 3/40 from his eight overs.
Neil Teasdale (2/18 from six overs) and Zeb Hein (3/15 from 4.3) took the baton from Kelly in the second half of the innings.
Kerang lost their final four wickets for only eight runs and if they are to take the step up into playing finals cricket this season, they’ll need to erase these collapses from their game.
Earlier, Murrabit’s powerful batting line-up reminded everyone why they are such a force.
The loss of all 10 wickets (Neil Teasdale retired, not out) will be of some concern as their innings finished within 34 overs, but it proved of little consequence thanks to Ettershank (58) at the top of the order.
Ettershank controlled the innings as the key cogs of skipper Tim Millard (22) and star Nathan Henry (7) fell around him.
A 59-run third-wicket partnership from Ettershank and Kelly (26) put some potency into the innings before Kerang dragged themselves back into the contest at 6/156.
Teasdale (30) and some lower order hitting helped, with Murrabit’s final four wickets putting on 40.
Koondrook v Barham
Last season’s runner-up Barham took out the local derby against Koondrook by 41 runs.
Captain and 2021/22 NDCA leading run scorer Chameera Akurugoda (59) took the bull by the horns after wicketkeeper Cody Storm departed for a duck.
At one stage, Barham looked in real strife, falling to 4/28 with the opening bowling partnership of Lachlan (2/20 from seven overs) and Mason Laursen (3/39 from eight), giving Koondrook the early ascendency.
Thankfully for Barham, Mick Puddick (58) partnered with Akurugoda to ensure a more than competitive total of 161.
There would have been some nervous moments midway through Koondrook’s innings for Barham as skipper Lachlan Laursen (45) got his side to 3/104.
However, an almighty collapse would occur after Akurugoda trapped him in front, as Koondrook lost their final seven wickets for 16 runs to be rolled for 120.
It will leave Koondrook disappointed, especially considering they still had over eight overs left in their innings.
Fixtures for next week in the NDCA are still to be confirmed.
Wandella SHDCA
In the Swan Hill District Cricket Association, Gannawarra-based side Wandella snuck home to record their second win in a row, prevailing in a thriller away to Ultima TUF by five runs.
Captain Gregory Dickson returned to the side with a bang, scoring over half of the innings’ 120 runs with a composed 70 from 85 balls.
Needing to take the 10 wickets to win, Bohden McKnight (3/18 from eight overs) and Daniel Higgs (3/32 from 6.5) ensured the Bombers did so as they rolled Ultima for 115 with 19 balls to spare.
