Jake Fraser-McGurk went berserk – albeit falling agonisingly short of a well deserved hundred – and disrupted Casey-South Melbourne’s plans as Richmond Cricket Club won the second round clash with bonus points at Central Reserve North on an incredibly windy Saturday.
Having opted to bat first, Casey were off to a sound start with Ashley Chandrasinghe and Lachlan Sperling building a 56-run stand refusing any openings. However, Marcus Berryman induced an edge off Sperling to break the stubborn partnership.
Casey skipper Michael Wallace then joined Chandrasinghe at the centre as the pair put on a healthy 86-run stand to put the visitors in the driver’s seat.
The visiting team looked set to up the ante in the death overs but Sam Mills changed the momentum by castling the set opener Chandrasinghe for 70 in the 39th over. Sensing the opportunity, Wil Parker sent Jordan Wyatt back to the hut in the next over as the Tigers bounced pretty strongly from thereon.
Casey kept losing wickets in quick succession, failing to put on any substantial partnership, as Richmond eventually restricted the away side to 9/192. Marcus Berryman (2/33), Mitch Perry (1/12), Mills (3/42), Parker (1/33) and skipper Dom Matarazzo (1/33) were in the wickets, while Reiley Mark bowled with a frugal economy rate of 4 in 9 overs.
Set 193 to chase, the game faced a slight delay due to the harsh weather and unrelenting wind. But once it resumed, it was the Fraser-McGurk show at the Central Reserve North. He cut loose from the start as Richmond breached the 50-run mark in the 7th over. Scott Edwards played the ideal second fiddle as they brought up the 100-run stand in less than 14 overs. Ashvin Adihetty then provided the breakthrough for Casey by dismissing Edwards for 32.
Kyle Viccars, on his birthday, then walked in at No 3 and kept the momentum going. With victory in sight and the imminent threat of rain passing, Fraser-McGurk and Viccars played risk free cricket to ensure a Richmond victory with another 78-run stand.
All eyes were set on Fraser-McGurk’s century but he was adjudged run out on 99, from 86 balls. Nonetheless, his knock and equally important contribution from Viccars (49*) and Edwards meant that Richmond won in 36 overs and with the bonus points in their bag.
2s
Second round fixture called off after sensational Richmond batting performance
The second round clash between Richmond Cricket Club and Casey-South Melbourne was called off due to rain at Casey Fields No 4 on Saturday. Richmond had posted 3/329 and Casey were 2/74 in the 18th over when the covers were brought on.
The coin fell in Richmond’s favour and skipper Greg Connor opted to bat. Openers Zac Sleeman and Yash Pednekar gave an exceptional start to the away team with Sleeman compiling a boundary laden innings of 72. The team score was 2 shy off 100 when J Serong got rid of Pednekar (28).
There was no stoppage to Richmond’s aggressive batting approach though as Tim Goodman brought up a ton while Andrew Humphries remained not out on 97 off 74 balls.
Asked to chase down 330, Casey openers got off to a decent start. But Jack Trevethan drew first blood and sent Kasun Suriaratchie packing while Humphries went through Aaron Bardwell’s defence for 2. The game though was brough to an abrupt end because of the inclement weather.
3s
Tigers produce all-round performance to beat Casey
Richmond Cricket Club were once again clinical at Central Reserve South following their win against Melbourne as Casey-South Melbourne were bowled out in a rain-affected match.
Batting first, Shobit Singh and Jacob Hinds put on an exhibition of batting with both complementing each other terrifically well. Putting behind their early dismissals against Melbourne, Singh and Hinds started off cautiously. However Hinds took to the attack once the nerves disappeared, while Singh held one end up to frustrate the opposition.
The pair put on a mammoth 158-run stand but Singh (61) holed out to Ben Perry while looking to change gears. Hinds – nearing his ton – too lost his wicket immediately as he was dismissed for 91. Promoted up the order after a match-winning knock against Melbourne, Dylan Tibballs wasted no time in making his intentions clear. He scored an early boundary but Perry had the last laugh.
Then it was the pair of Jordan Hesline (17) and Daniel Scholz (35*) who took the home side past the 200-run mark as Casey were asked to chase 226.
Barring Casey’s top three – Perry (36), I Laghmani (23) and E Lamers (29) – none of their batsmen made double digit scores. The Tigers’ bowled well as a unit with five bowlers – Ashley Becker (1/27), Hrithik Katarey (1/24), Scholz (2/26), Benji Gore (2/26) and Hesline (4/25) among the wickets.
Chasing 226 with wickets tumbling at either ends was always going to be a tough ask and Richmond didn’t allow Casey any breathing space as they completed two wins in a row.
4s
Richmond-Casey abandoned due to rain after Cowling 86
After an impressive 2019/20 season, Nic Cowling was once again in the runs as his 86 helped Richmond Cricket Club post 8/230 against Casey-South Melbourne at Casey Fields No 5 on Saturday.
Put in to bat by the opposition, the openers Cowling and Aryan Arora gave a solid start by stitching together a 125-run stand. After Arora was dismissed for 41, Casey bounced back with a flurry of wickets in quick succession. However, Ben McDonald (17) and captain Tyler Walsh (26) put things back in control.
Dulith Mihiripenna (12) and Jacob Carruthers (16) provided the much needed late flourish as the team ended with 8/230 in 45 overs.
The second innings however didn’t start at all due to rain and the game was called off.
