SPORT Voelkl’s century steals thunder

A KIERANN Voelkl century stole the limelight from Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson’s fast-bowling return at Nightcliff Oval yesterday.

A big crowd turned out for Richardson’s comeback from a shoulder injury as he battles to put his name up in lights for a late Ashes call-up.

But it was Voelkl who got most of the applause, hitting eight boundaries in his 105 as he guided Southern Districts to 9-253 in its 50 overs.

“It was difficult out there early, both of our top-order bats (Tim Seifert and Graeme Beghin) got absolute seeds and although Jhye was probably only at 50 per cent, he still came out at a good clip,” Voelkl said.

“I very much enjoyed that, it tests yourself against someone of high class and takes a fair bit of concentration.”

Richardson did have one moment of joy, having heavyscoring Districts skipper Beghin caught behind for one and watching the butterfingered Nightcliff fieldsmen drop three catches from his bowling.

But it was Districts who continued their unbeaten run in the 2019 season with a 59run win over the Tigers.

Voelkl’s century and fine bowling from Matt Hammond, Matt McEwan and Dan McKell combined for the win.

Darwin put a bad month of cricket behind them by thrashing premier Palmerston by nine wickets at Kahlin Oval.

Palmerston crashed from 1-92 to 153 all out batting first.

Six Eagles bowlers claimed wickets in an impressive joint performance that skittled the vaunted Power batting line-up.

Rob Vandermeulen and Alex Bleakley looked to have set the foundations for a big score before the Eagles got to work with the ball.

A 98-run partnership for the first wicket between Josh Doyle (66) and Matt Rodgers (52 not out) set up the win before Beau Webster’s unbeaten 34 swept them past the runs needed.

PINT hunted down Tracy Village’s 238 with more than 10 overs to spare at the Village ground.

The Villagers batted bravely in their turn at the crease, Dan Leerdam’s 51 at the top of the order and 30s from Kyle Scrimegour, Noah Korkolis and Mariy Shanthakumar making the Greens bowling attack work.

But Josh Clarkson hit five boundaries and four sixes in his 90.

He shared in a 105-run fifth-wicket partnership with PINT skipper Tim Garner that sealed the win.