WICKET COPS A POUNDING
REIGNING premiers Southern Districts have crumbled in pursuit of Darwin’s 7/165 at Cazalys Arena, losing 8-39 on a wicket described as “horrendous” by Eagles captain Connor Hawkins.
In the first round of Darwin and District Cricket Competition’s 50over fixtures, the Crocs were in relatively safe waters of 2/95 with Dean Fry and Tim Garner at the crease.
However, Fry’s dismissal – bowled by seamer Kristopher Denby – triggered a batting collapse as Denby claimed 5/24 off five overs.
Hawkins did not mince his words while critiquing the pitch, saying some players are not overly thrilled to be playing at Cazalys Arena.
“The wicket was horrendous, it’s not a very good cricket wicket,” Hawkins said. “It was below average, it wasn’t dangerous, it just wasn’t the best cricket wicket.
“For the spinners it was doing a bit, (but) it was two-paced and slow.
“A lot of blokes aren’t happy playing here, but we just have to get on with it. It could be a really good venue with a decent wicket”.
He said his team’s score was worth up to 250 runs on a decent strip and he implored his bowlers to have a simple strategy.
“I said just bowl at the stumps and let the pitch do what it wants,” he said.
Earlier, the Eagles built a defendable total through consistency down the list, with five scores between 18 and 33 – the latter being opener Anthony Adlam’s effort.
At DXC Arena, play was suspended due to rain with Nightcliff in the fifth over of its chase of Tracy Village’s 202 off 48 overs, on the back of Antum Naqvi’s 109 off 114 deliveries.
For the Tigers, Braden Taeuber (2/21), Nachiket Sant (2/22) and Andrew Richards (2/48) were among the wickets.
Nightcliff then reached a reduced target of 88 within a revised 15 overs (Josh Brown 37, Jacob Pawlowicz 3/8) with six balls to spare.
Also at Marrara, Palmerston compiled a competitive 6/176 as Alex Bleakley (45), Hamish Martin (38) and Charlie Bignell (33 not out) chipped in.
In reply, PINT cruised to victory with (Dhanusha Gamage 65 not out) five wickets in hand.