Sport
17 January, 2025
Carisbrook and Beaufort set to go the distance
With Beaufort requiring 88 runs and Carisbrook needing six wickets to claim first innings points, every result is still on the cards when teams return to Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
The bowling performances from both teams have certainly been the highlight of the contest so far and has set the table for a remarkable final day’s play.
A key factor in the Crows’ ability to restrict Carisbrook was their consistency with the ball and limiting easy runs.
Beaufort bowlers accumulated 19 maidens across their 52 overs, a team effort in halting Carisbrook’s momentum with the bat.
Joe Kingsbury, Joel Pymer and Toby Alexander were particularly strong in regulating the run rate.
Pymer and Toby Alexander allowed on average two runs of less an over while Kingsbury only conceded a barely believable six runs from his eight overs while also collecting a wicket.
Almost all of Carisbrook’s batsmen were forced to work hard for their runs, however, Dean Nalder was the exception to the rule.
He seemed to blunt the Beaufort attack effortlessly, hitting 10 fours and a six on his way to an unbeaten 67 off only 75 balls.
His innings made him one of six players to surpass 200 runs this season, placing him in esteemed company with reigning Ken Gibbs Medalist Lachlan Oddie, Colts Phelans Max Jackson and Laanecoorie Dunolly’s Tom Hannett, Alex Cook and Kamaljot Romana.
Nalder’s performance, alongside important cameos from Brayden Wright and Jordan Hooper, brought Carisbrook to a total of 149.
All eyes will turn onto Beaufort to chase that target when play resumes, especially considering their three leading run-scorers in Oddie, Tom Alexander and Thomas Grant have already been dismissed this innings.
The Crows were in a similar position in the one-day encounter between the two sides earlier in the season, where Beaufort was 3/58 after losing the trio rather cheaply.
Well-made 40s from Kriss Ellis and Jayden Scotland, coupled with 55 extras, got the Crows total to 212 which they defended by bowling out Carisbrook for 131.
The Crows will be looking for similar heroics from Kingsbury and Charlie Dyer to restart their innings strongly when they resume on 13 and one respectively.
To ensure a repeat of the round three contest doesn’t occur, Carisbrook will look for Lucas Hurse to replicate his performances last Saturday.
He was brilliant in giving Carisbrook a strong chance of claiming first innings points, bowling non-stop pace which garnered him figures of 3/20 from his seven overs.
Atticus Cullinan will be keen to build off his wicket last Saturday, which tied him for top wicket-taker at the club this season with six, while Nalder and Liam Hurse’s multi-wicket display in round three will also be in the back of Beaufort’s mind.