Wanderers v Mackay
Wanderers Tour 2020
Harrup Park 4 14/8/2020
Tour game two.
Harrup Park has to be one of the best cricket facilities in the State.
A perfectly prepared pitch and a glorious outfield greeted the Wanderers for the second match of the 2020 regional tour.
While Brad Murphy and Co. conducted a coaching session for some eager youngsters, Christian Murphy and MJ Toolis tore the Mackay attack apart in a brutal 111-run opening partnership from just 11 overs.
The loss of Murphy and Toolis in quick succession slowed the flow for only a short time as Leigh Drennan and Tim Agapow added 63 in 8 overs for the third wicket. The 29 added from the last 16 balls seemed incidental compared to the prior onslaught, but proved invaluable in the final analysis.
The defense started well with Tyran Eggmolesse and Frederick Lee Watts bowling well early; the latter taking the first wicket with the assistance of a Christian Murphy catch behind in the 6th over. A whirlwind 33 from 16 balls by Jacob Frerichs came to an end when Byron Gale nabbed the first of his three catches, off Thomas Morris, in the 9th over. Two balls later it was 3/59 when Murphy grabbed his second off Tom.
From there, Mackay fought back with partnerships of 37 and 75 for the 4th and 5th wickets; both anchored by a solid Captain’s knock from Luke Kennedy. The 5th wicket 75 came from just under 6 overs and dragged Mackay into contention. Byron Gale’s second catch off the bowling of Tim Agapow was a cracker, overhead, on the boundary to bring about the 4th wicket. The crucial 5th wicket partnership was also broken by Agapow; the batsman playing around a full bunger.
Byron Gale, diving to his right, at mid wicket off Tom Morris, made it 6/174; 46 to get from just over 4 overs.
The crucial wicket of Luke Kennedy came when a skied chance was well judged and taken by Michael Toolis from the bowling of Caleb King.
Another well judged outfield catch, this time by Leigh Drennan, gave Caleb a second wicket at the end of the 22nd over with the score on 183.
From there, it was a bridge too far for Mackay, finishing 20 runs short.
Nonetheless, it was an entertaining afternoon’s cricket. Well done everyone!
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