Pictured: Athira Kumar in action for Blacktown Mounties.
First Over
First ball – Campbelltown Camden serve up a 10-wicket cakewalk
In a commanding women’s first grade performance, Campbelltown Camden secured a 10-wicket win over Sydney University. Alexandra Mavros led the charge for Campbelltown with an impressive bowling display, claiming three wickets for just 15 runs. Sarah Coyte, Charis Pavely and Hannah Baker backed her up effectively with two wickets apiece to see Sydney University bowled out for a mere 65 runs in just under 29 overs. In stark contrast, Campbelltown’s Claire Koski hit an unbeaten 43 off 24, peppering the boundary with five fours and two sixes while Mavros delivered a composed knock of 25 not out, wrapping up the chase inside eight overs.
Second ball – Blacktown breaks records
Blacktown have notched up their biggest score in Brewer Shield history, posting 208 before going on to win by five wickets against Northern District. Thirteen-year-old Athira Kumar’s 90 was not only her highest score, but the highest individual score posted by a Blacktown player in Brewer Shield. Kumar’s knock sees her sit second on the run-scorers tally in Brewer Shield and eighth overall in the McDonald’s Women’s Premier Cricket competition this season with 487 runs at an average of 44.27. Kuhu Nanda shone with the ball, finishing with 3-7 off 8.5 overs after posting 21 with the bat.
Third ball – Parramatta dominate Blacktown
Michael Sullivan took a hat trick and finished with 4-15 (11.5) and Kye Thornley took 5-29 (13) to pick up his first five-wicket haul in first grade, as Parramatta dismissed Blacktown for 109. Parramatta closed its reply at 0d/125 after just 19 overs, with Andrew Calvert on 74* and Ryan Hackney finishing unbeaten on 40. At stumps Blacktown were 0/16 in their second innings – will day two bring them better luck?
Fourth ball – Pace and Elango’s bowling masterclass
Parramatta’s Varshaa Elango and Isabella Pace put on a masterclass with the ball in women’s third grade, helping their side to a 70-run victory over St George-Sutherland. After being bowled out for 128, Parramatta got to work with the ball in hand. Elango captured three wickets while conceding just two runs off her five overs while Pace picked up three wickets from four runs off her four overs to see St George-Sutherland collapse for just 58 runs.
Fifth ball – Church charges
Dylan Church’s 112 against Fairfield-Liverpool in men’s second grade marks his second century for the club, and his first in seconds. The knock sees Church pass 600 runs for the season in all grades, including 227 second grade runs across eight matches.
Sixth ball – Cooper’s century puts Manly in command
Manly’s Josh Cooper crafted a classy innings in men’s third grade, scoring 115 not out, including nine boundaries and five sixes. Cooper’s contribution helped secure a declaration at 302 runs, setting Bankstown an uphill task as they ended day one at 10 without loss.
Second Over
First ball – Sredojevic show rolls on
Lana Sredojevic bowled UTS North Sydney to victory over Parramatta in round 13 of Brewer Shield, taking 7-22 off her 10 overs. The career-best figures for Sredojevic double as the best bowling figures ever for a female Bear and the club’s first 7fer in a women’s competition, as well as the third-best figures (overall) in Brewer Shield history. Sredojevic went on to claim two wickets in the latest round of Brewer Shield to sit third in the leading wicket-takers tally, with 21 at an average of 9.81.
Second ball – Milestones galore
Four umpires have brought up their own significant milestones in McDonald’s Men’s Premier Cricket in recent weeks. In the men’s first grade Limited Overs Cup semi final between Parramatta and St George, Andrew Hamilton umpired his 350th men’s SCA match – including an incredible 248 in first grade. Kevin Battishill umpired his 250th men’s SCA match, while Roberto Howard umpired his 100th men’s first grade match and Dan Moran his 100th men’s SCA match.
Third ball – Kazakonis gets off the mark
George Kazakonis raised his bat for his maiden ton, finishing unbeaten on 127 as St George declared for 264 in men’s fifth grade. Before the round 15 fixture against Randwick Petersham, Kazakonis had posted three half-centuries this season and was firmly in the top 20 fifth grade run scorers. Can he crack the top 10? Going off the latest stats, it looks as if he’ll go close!
Fourth Ball – Record 107 not out
UTS North Sydney have enjoyed a tidy win over Sydney University, to sit fourth on the ladder in women’s second grade. Bella Johnson finished unbeaten on 107, posting not only a personal best score but the Bears’ highest-ever women’s score.
Fifth Ball – Keeping the dream alive
Wicketkeepers are often the unsung heroes of the game – but not this week. Manly’s Reuben Kapoor took five catches behind the poles in Poidevin Gray Shield to see Northern Districts out of the title race. Of his 23 matches (across all grades) this season, Kapoor has notched up 22 catches, four stumpings and a cheeky run out. Manly will be keen for Kapoor’s form with both bat and gloves to continue as they look to push deeper into the Poidevin Gray Shield finals.
Sixth Ball – And then there were four
The race to the Poidevin Gray Shield title is getting tighter, with Bankstown, Mosman, Parramatta and Manly Warringah progressing through to the semi finals.
Matches will take place on Sunday, March 2, starting at 10.00am as follows:
- Mosman v Manly Warringah at Allan Border Oval
- Parramatta v Bankstown at Old Kings Oval