NOT EVEN TODD CAN SPIN OUT VICTORY
DESPITE a classy bowling display from recently selected Australia A tourist Todd Murphy, Tracy Village went down to a relentless Southern Districts by five wickets at the Village Green on Saturday.
Murphy was planning to spend the Darwin and District Cricket Competition with Tracy but the 21-year-old offspinner from Victoria received a surprising phone call announcing he was selected to tour Sri Lanka with Australia A at the end of May.
“The selection was surreal – I didn’t see myself in that sort of squad yet and to get a phone call saying I was selected to tour Sri Lanka was an awesome feeling and something I am looking forward to,” he said.
“The tour runs throughout June and kicks off with a couple of one-day games and then two four-day games.”
Murphy appreciates that offspinning is a staple for Sri Lankan batsmen but is not perturbed and believes he will learn from the experience.
“It will be a really good challenge I think – you go over there and play in their environment and against guys who traditionally play spin really well,” he said.
“I had planned to play for Tracy for the whole season but now I will wait and see what happens after the tour and whether or not I will come back to Darwin.”
Batting first, the Villagers were off to a flyer with openers Joshua Hoffman (27), Tom Jackson (25) and No.3 Antum Naqvi (60) looking at ease and at 4-141 a competitive score looked assured.
But what is becoming a characteristic of the Tracy batting, it fell away and was out for 172 off 45.3 overs.
Districts used its quartet of spinners to great effect with leggie Tom O’Connell (4-42) outstanding, receiving great support from skipper Matt Hammond (2-18), and left-arm orthodox pair Tim Garner (2-27) and Sam Kerber (2-37).
Tracy started in the best possible manner with the ball, with quick Josh Kann snaring the first wicket, then Murphy (3-26, 10 overs) taking the next three, including one with his first ball.
Districts was teetering at 4-52 but Dean Fry (63 not out) and Xavier Crone (49) steadied the ship and got the rural men home by five wickets at 5-173 (41.3 overs).
No play was possible at Gardens Oval (Waratah v Nightcliff) and Cazalys Oval (Palmerston v Darwin) with both venues having wet and unplayable wickets.