Sport
18 February, 2025
Carisbrook hit new season highmark of 282
Key contributions from Brayden Wright, Liam Hurse and Dean Nalder have given Carisbrook their highest score of the season, setting a total of 282 for Clunes to chase down.
After winning the toss, the Magpies decided to send Carisbrook into bat, hoping to collect the wickets of openers Wright and Martin Mark before any potential weather disruptions halted play.
They would get their wish when Mark Allen swooped on a run-out opportunity to remove fellow Mark, Martin Mark, for five.
Just as the next man in Jordan Hooper started to settle in, Allen would strike again, this time bowling Hooper for 14 to leave the visitors at 2/31.
While the Magpies were circling for more opportunities, Wright and in-form batsman William Coutts managed to navigate Clunes’ attack, and the weather, to put Carisbrook in a strong position.
The pair combined for an innings-building 78-run partnership before both were dismissed in quick succession.
First, it was Wright, removed for 65 after being caught by Anthony Ellis off the bowling of Brendan Ingram.
Ellis’ catching hands were at it again shortly thereafter, this time to dismiss Coutts for 22 to leave Carisbrook at 4/115.
That brought Liam Hurse and Dean Nalder to the crease, Carisbrook’s top run scorers this season.
The duo blunted the Magpies’ attack by effortlessly increasing the run rate to wrestle control of the contest into Carisbrook’s favour.
Ingram ended their remarkable 140-run partnership for Clunes, catching Hurse off his own bowling to remove him for 66.
With Carisbrook now at 5/255, the visitors looked to be more aggressive to get as many runs on the board as possible.
The Magpies took full advantage of the increased opportunities.
First, Jude McGuire’s nifty work behind the stumps removed Nalder after an entertaining 75, then Ingram ended the cameo of Ritik Yadav for three after he was caught by Aidan Thompson in the deep.
Cooper Mark’s runout for five was the last wicket of the day, which saw Carisbrook finish on 8/282 with Chris Lee unbeaten on 15 and Axel Purcell not out for one.
Ingram played a key role for Clunes with the ball, collecting the key wickets of Wright, Hurse and Yadav on his way to finishing with 3/53 from 16 overs.
Nalder’s 75 high scored for the visitors, with his efforts well supported by Hurse’s 66 and Wright’s 65.