SYDENHAM/HILLSIDE put up a solid 217 in its innings against Kealba/Green Gully in the North West Cricket Association George Luscombe Shield match at Hillside Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
In reply, Kealba was 0/2 after two overs at stumps after a weather-affected day. The top-scorers for the Storm were Alex Hassett with 55 not out, Warren Hackney (47) and captain/coach Bob Kunesevic (26).
Kunesevic said the aim before the start of play was to hit 180 to 200 runs.
“They (Kealba) won the toss and bowled. I would have taken 200 at the start of the day … the grass was long in the outfield,” Kunesevic said.
“We were about 5/100 so to get 217 from that was a great effort.”
Because of the weather conditions, play was delayed an hour, but from 2pm onwards, the game continued uninterrupted.
Kunesevic said the key to this Saturday was to put pressure on the Kealba top order.
“Just bowl tight and build the pressure in the field,” he said. “Blake Charlton, Paul Lorimer and Timmy Grech, on debut; they will all get a go with the ball early.”
Kealba/Green Gully captain/coach Danny Viani said he was confident his side could chase down 217.
“If we expect to make finals, scores around 300 are the par so I’d be disappointed if we didn’t win,” Viani said.
He said it was a bit of a risk to bowl first after winning the toss, but at the end of the day, was happy to restrict Sydenham after its flying start.
“They cruised to about 3/100. Then we got a few quick wickets after tea, which put us back in the game. “Their lower order dug in. I still think it’s a good effort to keep any team under 300 as that is the par score these days.”
The leading wicket takers for the Cougars were Matthew Scalzo with four and Viani with two.
Viani said the pitch gave no real advantage to either batsman or bowler. “The ball keeps low, but there’s not much in the deck (for bowlers).”
Play will resume this Saturday at 1pm.
