CONWAY’S HANDY KNOCK HELPS TO SINK ACADEMY
“It’s been good, the extra training”
WARATAH has handed the Territory’s most promising youngsters a lesson in its first dip into Darwin senior cricket this season, passing NT Academy’s 7-114 with 11 balls to spare on a stifling Saturday at DXC Arena.
The comfortable win came as Darwin and District Cricket Competition’s fixtures were thrown into turmoil after heavy rain on Friday afternoon, effectively cancelling all T20 games at the arena’s second ground over the weekend.
However, much like the downpour, the runs continued to flow for Warriors captain Isaac Conway.
After pounding 535 runs at 53 in the top flight for Port Adelaide over the summer in SACA Premier Cricket, including three hundreds, he continued in similar, numerical fashion with an unbeaten 53, combining with Port Adelaide compadre Austin Umpherston – a handy support act with 45 not out off 51 deliveries.
Earlier, Awad Naqvi’s 28 at the top of the order was the academy’s best offering with the blade as Madura Weerasinghe cashed in with 2-17 off four overs.
Conway was happy with the win but admitted there were areas to improve on, as Waratah coughed up 20 extras.
“We’ve got to work on that and just get a bit sharper in the field,” he said. “They were pretty tough conditions – it was a pretty hot, we were struggling a bit.
“I like batting with Aussie, we’ve got a good partnership going.”
Conway was expecting a harder hitout against Palmerston on Sunday, but was unsure if star bat James Seymour was playing for Waratah this summer, dependent on Melbourne Renegades’ involvement in the upcoming Strike League.
“We’re trying to jell together as a team as quick as we can,” he said.
Meanwhile, Palmerston has opened its season with a commanding nine-wicket win over University at DXC Arena on Saturday.
Batters Harshtik Bimbral (51 not out off just 31 balls) and Corey McDean (37 off 23 rocks) combined for a 76-run stand for the second wicket, easily reeling in University’s meagre 8-103, in round 1 of the T20 competition at Marrara.
Queensland recruit Connor Carroll smacked a few heavy balls before he was caught at mid-wicket for 18 off 11 deliveries.
Earlier, Palmerston was simply too slick in the field, effecting three runouts plus a one-handed catch from wicketkeeper McDean.
Contributing to the win was 17year-old spinner Jayden Chatto, who claimed 1-13 off three overs, bowling Mostofa Mahin for 24.
“(I bowled) pretty well for the first two overs, but the third wasn’t as good,” Chatto said.
Chatto, one of 10 Palmerston players selected in the Darwin NT Cricket Academy, said the experience had helped his bowling “heaps” so far, improving his flight and turn.
“It’s been good, the extra training sessions,” he said.
The 17-year-old has set himself the benchmark of 50 wickets this year, including 10 in A grade.