Wanderers Country Tour 2019
Game 1: v Moonie
15 August 2019 at Moonie Community Centre
Some great hospitality from The Moonie community today. A coaching session with the kids from the school followed by a game of cricket v the Moonie crowd. James Bidgood and Sean Bryson shared a strong opening stand to set the platform for a 190 total from 45 overs.
Frederick Lee Watts and Nick Coe took three each in the Moonie innings which ended on 134.
Well done all.
Game 2: v Miles
16 August 2019 at Centenary Oval
A nail biter v Miles today. A formidable total of 266 was posted by the Wanderers on the back of a 160 run opening stand between Dylan McLachlan and Matt Hicks. However, the Miles reply was also formidable with a 100+ partnership in quick time between Ash Dyball and James Bidgood setting the platform for a successful chase with 10 balls to spare.
Once again we were treated to some wonderful country hospitality by the Miles team and also at the Miles Bowls Club for dinner.
Some touring tomorrow before heading to Charleville for the next game on Sunday.
Game 3: v Charleville
18 August 2019 at Charleville High School
A warm day in Charleville today with the temp getting up to 30. Thank goodness for the breeze during the day. Wanderers started slowly and were 1/56 at drinks and just 97 from 33 overs. The accelerator pedal then went down and 133 were added in the final stanza.
Joel Menzies and Sean Bryson combined for 50 partnerships with opener Matt Hicks early on then a sparkling 59 from 30 balls between Lee Watts and Nick Coe at the end of the innings drove the score to 230 from 50 overs.
In the reply, Charleville shot out of the blocks with a 69-run second wicket partnership between Sam Wade and Jamie Wensley, before two wickets fell in quick succession. From that point wickets fell regularly in the innings. A late blast took the final score to 192 from 44.4 overs.
Once again the country hospitality was on display. Thank you to all the Charleville guys and girls for the day.
Game 4: v Quilpie Killer Whales
20 August 2019 at Eromanga State School
In Eromanga, the farthest town from the sea in Australia, the Wanderers did battle over 30 overs with the Quilpie Killer Whales on Astro-turf mats and a red-dirt oval; certainly a new experience for most of the touring side.
Spectators lucky enough to be in attendance feasted on a “six-a-thon” from Wanderer, Dylan McLachlan, who smashed 9 sixes in a blistering 125 no from 60 balls which included 11 fours and from Killer Whale, Sam Bartlett who hit 7 sixes in a 25-ball 49.
All up, 29 balls found their way over the boundary (down the road, into neighboring yards etc.) on the day.
Given the conditions, not many bowlers escaped carnage. There were notable performances by spin bowlers Jeremy Grimm (3/30) of the Killer Whales and Tallis Martin (3/24) of the Wanderers.
McLachlan’s innings plus some late order hitting by Matt Hicks and James Bidgood steered Wanderers to a significant 262 from the allocated 30 overs.
The Killer Whales’ chase was on target for most of the match with solid contributions from Jamie Wensley, Sandy McKenzie, Carl Jungmann and Sam Bartlett. In the end, it was a bridge to far for the locals, falling 44 runs short.
Teams mingled for an enjoyable get-together at the Royal Hotel after the match. The Eromanga hospitality most definitely another highlight of the day.
Game 5: v Yetman
23 August 2019 at Yetman
A brilliant clear day greeted the Wanderers at Yetman although it could be argued that some found the bright day a little overwhelming after an entertaining evening at the local Codfish Hotel 😩
James Bidgood and Sean Bryson combined for a 41-run opening stand, but that was the best partnership on offer for Wanderers on the day; wickets falling regularly. Sean Bryson was bizarrely dropped from three consecutive balls in one over. Lee Watts contributed a rapid 50 and guided the team to a 203 from th allocated 30 overs.
Yetman exploded out of the blocks with a 68 run partnership in just 7 overs from the McMillans laying a perfect platform for the chase. An undefeated 81 run partnership for just 8 overs between skipper, Digby Makim and Dennis Rush brought the chase to a close with five overs to spare.
Once again the hospitality was superb; a credit to the Yetman community
Game 6: v Warwick
24 August 2019 at Slade Park, Warwick
A nippy morning blossomed into a brilliant day for cricket. It’s fair to say that the razor-sharp edge of the Wanderers had been blunted severely by this point; many members a walking “before” advertisement for Cold and flu tablets... 🤧🤧
Nonetheless, the caravan must roll on.
Palam Singh and Dylan McLachlan turned a mediocre start into a stellar one with a third wicket partnership of 84 from 63 balls before Warwick skipper John Cleary nabbed a spectacular catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Dylan the ball after he reached 50. Wickets then tumbled, including Palam for 55.3/114 became 7/162. Lance Roudenko then teamed with Cahal Davis and Nic Coe for two 30+ partnerships for the 8th and 9th wicket and guided Wanderers to 248; finishing with a 50 of his own.
The chase began disastrously for Warwick with Nick Coe cutting through the top order, taking three top-order wickets including the dangerous John Cleary in his 6-over spell. One of the wickets was a brilliant diving catch behind by Dylan McLachlan.
Harry Glasgow added 45 with Colin O’Brien for the 5th wicket, then 59 with Andrew Ryan for the 6th. But from 6/136, Warwick collapsed to be all out for 167; Sean Bryson taking 4/20 at the end of the innings.
A most enjoyable day at Slade Park was brought to a close by warm words from both captains.
