GEELONG’S THRILLING START
THE Geelong Cricket Association kicked off its County Week campaign in nailbiting fashion yesterday securing a final-over win against Ballarat.
Midway through its chase of Ballarat’s 250 at the Geelong cricket ground the GCA appeared to be cruising after a 119-run first-wicket stand between Geelong City captain Richie Oliver (52) and East Belmont’s Sean O’Neill.
O’Neill (107) — who has amassed 714 runs at an average of 71.40 this season — anchored the GCA chase with his first Country Week ton from more than five tournaments.
GCA team manager Justin Brown said Ballarat used its spin bowlers to tie down the GCA batsmen at critical stages during the chase.
“We made it more difficult than we should have considering the start we had,” Brown said.
“Once (East Belmont’s Matt) Lineker went out we really struggled from there. (Ballarat) bowled pretty well and had the clamps on with their spinners. We struggled to score boundaries.”
Around the 40th over the GCA stumbled losing Lineker (21) and Patrick Richards (0) in quick succession. An over later O’Neill departed after an 128-minute innings which included 12 boundaries.
When North Geelong’s Andrew Fergusson and South Barwon’s Jordan Rossi ar- rived at the crease the GCA chase sat in a precarious position with 52 runs needed off the final nine overs. Cameos from Fergusson (23) and Rossi (20) helped secure the win with three balls to spare in the 50th over.
Ballarat won the toss electing to bat first and take advantage of a flat wicket and quick outfield. Brown said Brad Hauenstein was the pick of the GCA bowlers with 4-53 from 10 overs.
Nick McGuane, Chris Williams and Fergusson all chipped in with a wicket each, and three Ballarat batsmen were run out.
The GCA squad copped a blow at the weekend following the withdrawals of Newtown & Chilwell’s Graeme Clark (quad) and North Geelong’s Shaun Kingwell (groin) because of injury.
Meanwhile the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association travelled to Werribee to play Hamilton yesterday recording a five-wicket win.
The BPCA — which chased 117 for victory with more than 20 overs to spare — will travel to Kew today to play Wangaratta.
The GCA will play the Bairnsdale Cricket Association in Melton.