RUNS TO COME ONCE SALK OVAL SETTLES
PALM Beach Currumbin captain-coach Jerry Cassell warns not to expect highscoring games anytime soon at home as they try to adjust to a new pitch at Salk Oval.
The Cricket Gold Coast first grade side were on track to win their Round 2 game against Alberton on Saturday before the rain-affected match was abandoned and a draw recorded.
It was the first cricket played at Salk Oval since Palm Beach football club players caused $2000 worth of damage to the pitch with a car following September’s QAFL grand final.
Two players were charged with wilful damage over the incident.
Alberton on Saturday lost the toss and were bowled out for 85 after being sent into bat with recruit and former Gold Coast Dolphins first grade player Michael Granger taking four wickets.
Palm Beach Currumbin finished at 5-52 after 17.3 overs – just shy of the 20 overs needed to ensure a result – when rain set in.
Cassell said the new wicket was yet to settle and could bring more low scoring games until the new year.
“It was a tough game,” Cassell said.
“It was a brand new wicket so both sides felt that.
“It will take a while for the wicket to settle down after having the issue with the car on the wicket, it’s just a bit two-paced and quite steep.
“I wouldn’t expect too many high-scoring games until after Christmas.”
The tough conditions are something to which Palm Beach Currumbin will need to become accustomed; they have four games at Salk Oval up until the end of December.
Cassell said the team was still finding the best balance of players in their line-up but wouldn’t change their tactics when playing at home.
“We have got some young guys coming through and we are just trying to work out a way that we want to play,” Cassell said. “You practice to play on nice wickets but we obviously have to adapt to what we play on. I think we are still going to go with our same plan going forward.”