Menzies gives Frogs short shrift after tea
A DAMAGING secondsession spell from paceman James Menzies has Leopold in prime position to capture the points in its match against Murgheboluc.
The Lions’ firebrand used the short ball to good effect as the Frogs crumbled from 4-124 at tea to be all out for 156 in the 63rd over.
“We noticed a few of them weren’t too fond of the short ball, so we thought we’d play on that a bit,” captain Tim Marshall said.
“He’d bowl a few short ones and then throw one up and he’d get the nick, it was really well thought out bowling.”
Menzies finished with 5-28 from 14.1 overs, while Englishman Martyn East trundled down 17 overs for 2-25.
“We had a good chat at tea break and thought we needed to get back to basics and stick to our bowling plan, and the bowlers came out after tea and executed that really well,” Marshall said.
“We were able to bowl three or four maidens and build some pressure, and then we’ve unleashed James Menzies and he’s bowled probably the best spell I’ve seen him bowl in Division 1 cricket.”
On the other side, Murgheboluc debutant Daanish Mehta provided stubborn resistance until soon after the break, top scoring with 81.
Mehta showed patience in steering the Frogs to 135 before falling victim to East.
The Lions were forced to endure 18 overs with Murgheboluc skipper Terry Hill removing Scott Burrowes (20) to have the Lions 1-40.
“That places us in a strong position with the job half done,” Marshall said.
“It was always going a take a little time, but I think we’re starting to find our feet now.”