Sport
24 February, 2026
Carisbrook needs 159 to chase down Owls
With their finals aspirations in jeopardy, Carisbrook has placed itself in an advantageous position, yet still requires 159 runs against Maryborough on day two.
Openers Elliot Cullinan and William Coutts will resume for Carisbrook on 0/38 after the hosts ended a solid Owls innings that promised to accelerate on multiple occasions at 196.
Several Maryborough batters like Ben Hoban, Mitch McClure and Alex Burrow seemed destined for substantial scores. Yet Carisbrook’s younger guard, led by Atticus Cullinan and Axel Purcell, produced several key wickets at vital times.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Maryborough showcased a line-up change, with Oliver Bennett moved back up to open alongside Liam Radlof, hoping to replicate his 78 and 85 in his first two knocks against Carisbrook this season.
However, Atticus Cullinan bowled Bennett before becoming Caris-brook’s boogeyman once again, sent back to the changerooms after making two.
Carisbrook’s emotion went from excitement to sheer delirium when Cullinan got fellow opener Radlof to feather a ball to Coutts behind the stumps and have Maryborough reeling at 2/11.
Their elation slowly cooled as Hoban and McClure began to click the Owls in motion with a healthy partnership.
After navigating the remainder of Atticus Cullinan and Jordan Hooper’s opening spells, the righty-lefty combo looked poised to draw the visitors into a controlling position.
An unlikely source brought an end to the 63-run partnership, with Angus Morrison finding an advantageous time to earn his first A grade wicket, removing McClure for 31 thanks to Coutts’ second catch of the day.
Carisbrook weren’t out of the woods just yet, as that brought Martin Dell to the crease, who’s averaged 79.3 in his last four knocks, including an unbeaten 81 against Carisbrook in round 10.
Just as another solid Owls partnership was beginning to stew, Carisbrook struck again, this time through leading wicket-taker Brayden Wright getting Dell to be caught by Atticus Cullinan for 16.
Things continued to go the Wright way for Carisbrook, as Ben Hoban’s fine innings ended in a bathetic manner, hitting a Wright delivery directly to Morrison on the leg side.
With Hoban gone for 41 and Maryborough 5/119, the hosts were determined to make the most of their impressive start. Yet the Owls continued to develop healthy partnerships.
After settling in quickly alongside Hoban, Burrow was routinely finding the boundary against the spin of Wright and Dean Nalder as he and the returning Oliver Cassidy skillfully brought the visitors to the lunch break without further loss.
Burrow looked to do the same to Purcell after the interval, but the teenager had his number, bowling Burrow for 33.
Atticus Cullinan compounded Purcell’s breakthrough by disrupting the stumps of Jasper Trickey for three to have Maryborough on the ropes at 7/152.
However, like a fly you believe you’ve swatted away, the Owls refused to wilt away, with Cassidy and Elliot Ashburn continuing to find avenues for runs.
The duo added noticeable insurance with a 24-run partnership before Cassidy was castled by Purcell after making 20.
Troy Bursill followed Cassidy shortly thereafter, bowled for three by Jordan Hooper.
A late flourish by Ashburn brought him to a season-high 25 not out, but Purcell’s third wicket bowled Maryborough out for 196, with Liam Maffescioni caught by Cooper Mark for six.
With Maryborough threatening to burst through the dam wall often, Atticus Cullinan’s and Purcell’s identical figures of 3/30 added valuable protection to ensure Carisbrook could chase down a challenging yet achievable score.
Following a short innings interval, Maryborough’s bowling attack was given 15 overs to procure some early wickets and end day one on top.
However, openers Coutts and Elliot Cullinan ended the day’s play unscathed, set to resume their innings on 13 and 22 respectively, with Cullinan hitting four boundaries.