Brasher’s century sets up Darwin win
A CHANCELESS 136 with 10 fours and four sixes from Darwin opener Dylan Brasher led the way to a 17-run win over Waratah at Kahlin Oval on Saturday.
Recruited this season by the Eagles, Brasher is no stranger to NT Cricket, having donned the ochre and black colours for the under-19 nationals two years ago.
“It probably took me 30 or 40 balls to get going today, but having Anthony ( Adlam) at the other end was ideal – he did most of the early scoring while I settled in, so it was the perfect partnership in that regard,” he said.
“I play for Footscray in Melbourne Premier grade competition and Jake Reed, who is our coach here in Darwin, comes from the same club – I’m looking forward to staying for the season and hopefully get selected for Strike League and Cricket 360, which are awesome competitions and will be good for my development.”
He and Adlam (73) put on 169 for the first wicket before Udara Weerasinghe deceived Adlam, who chopped the ball on to his off-stump.
Another wicket soon after lifted the Red Caps, but with Brasher in complete control and Matt Calder (36) also taking a liking to the bowling on the placid Kahlin track, the home side completed their allotted overs at 4-284.
Tahs did not have the depth of bowling to counter Darwin and while they all toiled, left-arm quick Caiden Eaton (2-52), was the only multiple wicket taker.
Waratah started the chase in the best possible manner with Austin Umpherston (67) and Isaac Conway (47) accumulating 83 for the first wicket.
A late rally by Weerasinghe (43) and a series of belligerent late-order partnerships almost lifted the visitors home, but they fell short at 10-267. Young medium pacer Will Pilkington (2-37) filed the best return with the ball for the Eagles.
A wonderful all-round performance by Todd Murphy 63 and 3-19 (10 overs), paved the way for a 78-run win by Tracy Village over PINT in the match played at the Village Green: Tracy 8-244 d PINT 7-166. And Southern Districts 9-273 (Sam Kerber 67, Dean Fry 54; Phillip Hull 3-40) overwhelmed Nightcliff 10-93 ( Corey Kelly 4-15, Tom O’Connell 3-21) at Gerry Wood Oval.