2017/18 Macgregor Matrix
Round 2 v Pine Rivers
30 September and 7 October 2017 at Marchant Park 10
DAY ONE:
A tale of two matches...
In A1, Michael Turner lost the toss and the Matrix were condemned to the sapping heat at Marchant Park 10.
In B1, Gary Buddha Sargent won the toss and the Mongrels sat in the shade of the hut sipping Mai-Tais... well not really, but, you know what I mean.
The Matrix recovered well after Pine Rivers were 3/183, to have them 5/201 at tea and then all out for 273, with about an hour to go.
On the other hand, Nundah never recovered from the 99 run partnership between Sabahat Mahmood and Rodney Searle and a blistering 70 from Adam Matthews. Sabahat going on to register 108 and the Mongrels declaring at 6/278 with about an hour to go.
After the early loss of Usman Rajput, Mick and Matthew Taviani added 49 before Mick was unluckily caught at slip off the second last ball of the final over.
The Mongrels sunk the boot in at KP11 reducing Nundah to 7/49 with Minul Tennakoon the destroyer taking 4/17.
Good luck to both teams next week.
DAY TWO:
see-sawing match at Marchant Park 10 saw the Matrix almost secure an unlikely outright.
Resuming at 2/56, Nigel Sherborne and Matthew Taviani added 31 before one snuck under Nigel's bat on the dreaded 87 (Daniel's fault ). Matt fell just one run later, then Clarkey, then Kyle Hope and all of a sudden, 2/87 became 6/90.
Boyd Bailey, Naeem Khatree and Rae Nol Raynold stopped the rot and steered the score to 163, but still 110 runs behind.
Pine Rivers chose to bat again, but found runs harder to come by with an outfield greener and slower than day 1. At 5/77, Kyle, getting four of them, the declaration came leaving the Matrix 188 to get from a min 21 overs.
An explosive start from Nigel and Clarkey took the Matrix to 50 from the first 5 overs and sparked a bit of panic in the Pine Rivers camp. Boyd Bailey spanked the bowling to all parts, Matt Taviani played a blistering knock and together with Kyle added 41 from just 21 balls.
The running between the wickets was aggressive with 17 2s and 6 3s. When stumps was called for bad light, the Matrix needed just 31 from 4 overs. No doubt the light was pretty bad and the umpire's call was appropriate. However, it was no worse than it had been for about 10 overs prior. Disappointing, but just bad luck.... a really good come back by the Matrix.
Round 3 v Gold Crest
14 and 21 October 2017 at Richard Ring Oval
An overcast day with 80% chance of rain at Finsbury Park where the Matrix took on Gold Crest. Despite the forecast and play finishing 30 min early, 73 overs were bowled including an innings break. So, just 4 overs lost.
Michael Turner won the toss and elected to bat.
A patient opening partnership with Gordon Mathison, against tight bowling and excellent fielding lasted 21 overs before Mick got an edge with the score on 39.
Gordie carried on with Clarkey, adding another 22, but then a mini-collapse saw 3 wickets fall for just 2 runs in 21 balls.
Kyle Hope and Gordie then steadied the ship, Kyle in typically belligerent fashion. The tea break came withe score on 95. Just a couple of overs after tea, Gordie's stubborn 133-ball knock came to an end. He'll sleep well tonight!
Kyle partnered well with Boyd to add 22 for the 6th wicket. As did Pat Bethune adding 29 for the 7th.
Boyd Bailey's stay at the wicket lasted from 99 to 156 of which he contributed 39 in a powerful display including a lusty maximum over long-on.
Chasing 160, Gold Crest were 0/23 from 10 at the close.
Round 4 v Ferny Districts
28 October and 4 November 2017 at Marchant Park 10
The Matrix is in a commanding position after the first day of the match v Ferny Districts at MP10.
In beautiful conditions, Michael Turner won the toss and elected to bat.
By the 7th over. Both openers were back in the pavilion with just 16 on the board. The middle order then took charge. Naeem Khatree was the anchor in partnerships of 72 for the 3rd wicket with Matt Clarke, 58 for the 4th wicket with Matthew Taviani, 78 for the 5th wicket with Arif Mansuri and 24 for the 6th wicket with Kyle Hope.
These partnerships and strong contributions in the lower order propelled the Matrix to 8/315 from 66 overs and a declaration.
The skipper asked the team for a special effort to capture two wickets before stumps. Kyle hope obliged with wickets from successive balls in the 3rd over to have Ferny 2/10 at the close at 5.40 when stumps was called for light.
Good work lads.
DAY TWO:
A hard day in the field for the Matrix yesterday.
After having Ferny 5/70, the Matrix were brought undone by two huge partnerships - 84 for the 6th and 189 for the 7th wickets. There were chances, but that's cricket.
Round 5 v Peninsula
11 and 18 November 2017 at Filmer Park
A competitive encounter at Filmer Park between the Matrix and Peninsula today.
After winning the toss and choosing to Bowl, many were asking "who are you and what've you done with Michael Turner?" The decision was vindicated as the Matrix caught just about everything to dismiss Peninsula for 178. Kyle Hope and Tom English bowled 36 of the 52 overs, Matt Clarke, snavelled three wickets and Mick picked up two and his 100th for the club, thanks to two brilliant outfield catches by Khaleel Waqar. Gordon Mathison pouched a full-blooded pull shot at mid-wicket, Matthew Taviani was horizontal in front of first taking a catch off Tom and Mick took a beauty over his head at long-off.
In reply, the Matrix lost Gordie early, but added 43 for the second wicket as Nigel Sherborne and Clarkey rotated the strike and astutely punished the bad ball. Then disaster struck as three wickets fell in the next three overs. Matt Taviani and Pat Bethune fought hard for the final 11 overs before Pat was unluckily given out LBW on the last ball before the umpire called the day for light!!!
It'll be a cracker next week.
Round 6 v Mater Hill
2 and 9 December 2017 at Vince Herbert Oval
DAY ONE:
It's pretty hard to describe today's cricket at Vince Herbert Oval. "Frustrating" doesn't seem to cover it.
After winning the toss and bowling, nothing seemed to go right for the Matrix.
Lofted shots were either just out of reach, brushing fingertips or just plain dropped. Periods of wayward bowling were intermingled with periods of tight bowling.
Matt Clarke did take a blinder at point and Boyd Bailey toiled very hard in the field and with the ball; unlucky to not have a wicket in his first over.
Nigel Sherborne's direct hit provided the first wicket in the 31st over after a 102 opening stand. This was followed by Partnerships of 65 and 42. From 2/209, Mater Hill lost 5/46, chasing quick runs and a declaration after 67 overs.
Michael Turner and Nigel successfully negotiated nine overs before bad light stopped play about 13 minutes early.
DAY TWO:
Nigel Sherborne and Matt Clarke provided a solid platform before 2 quick wickets fell in the 50s.
Clarkey and Matthew Taviani added another 56 runs, then another couple of quickish wickets before A dominant 188 run partnership between Kyle Hope and Tom English sealed the deal for the Matrix yesterday.