Sport
25 January, 2024
Brook and Colts set to go to the end
If last Saturday was any indication, this looms as the closest game of the round, with Carisbrook needing a further 151 runs to claim first innings points against Colts Phelans, and get their finals chances back on track. On the other hand, if Colts...
If last Saturday was any indication, this looms as the closest game of the round, with Carisbrook needing a further 151 runs to claim first innings points against Colts Phelans, and get their finals chances back on track.
On the other hand, if Colts Phelans can continue their good two-day form with the ball, they will all of a sudden firm for a spot in the finals.
The key for Carisbrook is to hold their wickets early on, with Caleb Cluff resuming on 16 and captain William Coutts on nine.
Cluff was terrific in his role at the top of the order in the Brookers’ last game against Clunes, having scored 36 runs and frustrating an in-form Magpies bowling attack throughout the first half of their second innings.
He’ll be looking to do much of the same tomorrow, while Coutts will be hoping to put it all together for his best score of the season.
Importantly, Carisbrook still have some terrific batting options to call upon, with Dean Nalder already boasting a half-century against Colts this season, scoring 59 in their T20 loss.
Brayden Wright is another who has made his mark on the Carisbrook middle-order, scoring 29 runs last week, while Atticus Cullinan, Elliot Cullinan and James Adam will also be called upon to help get the job done.
However, they are also running into a Colts bowling lineup which ran hot against Beaufort, particularly with Nick Henderson taking five wickets, while Dave Robinson, Dan McGregor and Dayne Baker were also good contributors in their win against the Crows.
The early stages of Carisbrook’s batting innings suggests that Colts will be maintaining a tight line and length to make it hard to score against, however, some of that may have come down to Carisbrook’s resilience to not lose a late wicket from their 18 overs of batting.
Colts will be a little disappointed that they weren’t able to capitalise on a good start which saw them sit on 2/116 at one stage, before they were all out for 175.
But they will still be pleased with the form of Rhys Wagstaff, who once again top-scored, this time with a solid knock of 75, his third score of 50 or more for the season.
Luke Tatchell was another who played well to make 48, and was desperately unlucky not to make 50. After making 21 runs in the first six games of the season, he has suddenly come into his own with the bat, scoring 148 runs in his last four games.
However, they also had to deal with five ducks during their innings, and will be hoping that they can deal the same kind of damage to Carisbrook’s top four chances when the time comes tomorrow.