Wanderers v Australia (ID)
13 March 2019 at Norman Gray Oval
Game 1.
All I can say is “if this is autumn, God help us when summer rolls around again!”
Fehlberg Park was immaculate. Wanderers batted first as is the custom, Bryon Gale and Dakota Rogers putting on 39 before Dakota was bowled trying to push the score along. This brought Jack Hogarth to the wicket determined to not play a dot ball. The tempo escalated quickly with Byron and Hoggy adding 42 from just 33 balls. There was no respite when Sheldon Stackpole came in and smacked 44 in a 55 run, 32 ball partnership with Byron. A further 21 from the last 9 balls took the final score to 157; 105 of which came in the last 10 overs. Well done Byron for batting through the innings.
Gavan Hicks and Boyd Duffield opened for Australia (ID) and got off to a good start before a slick stumping by Chris Don off Hoggy ended Gavan’s innings. A couple of quick wickets slowed Australia (ID) a little before Jamie Phillips joined Boyd for an unbeaten partnership of 71 from 61 balls to take The final score to 110 from 20 overs.
Boyd Duffield was named player of the match for his 58 from 52 balls.
Game 2.
Gavan Hicks and Australia (ID) skipper, Haydn Brumm opened Game 2 and faced some tight bowling early from the Wanderers attack; just 37 runs coming from the first 10 overs. The first wicket fell just 2 balls into the 11th when Dan Cummins took a good running catch off the bowling of Byron Gale. Then, an explosion by Gavan Hicks, pummeling 25 out of a 26 run, second wicket partnership from just 17 balls. Gavan was finally out, well caught by Gurjot Singh on the mid-wicket boundary, trying to bring up his 50.
Dan Cummins and Harry Clark-Burnham set about chasing the 106 target with vigour, smashing the ball to all parts in a 79-run opening stand from just 7 overs. But, when Harry retired and Dan was out to a brilliant catch by Richard Curtis 2 balls later, Australia (ID) were able to slow the scoring down.
The damage had been done though, Ben Groth and Hayden Boyd steering Wanderers home in the 16th over.
Gavan Hicks was named Player of the Match.
Fehlberg Park was immaculate and the Souths members perfect hosts.
Best of luck to the Australia (ID) team in their endeavours this year.
