Sport
27 February, 2026
Colts Phelans eyes outright victory over Clunes
While the result has been decided thanks to an Asim Akhtar masterclass, Colts Phelans and Clunes still have plenty to play for when the two-day contest resumes at Hedges Oval.
The Magpies could do nothing but watch and admire the performance of Akhtar on Saturday, following up his 6/15 in Clunes’ first innings with an unbeaten century to end the day’s play.
It’s a feat very few have completed across an international test match, with Ian Botham doing it a record three times over his illustrious career, but to do it in just one day is nothing short of sensational.
Akhtar will resume his innings on 100 alongside Ben Evans on 50 as the hosts attempt to achieve the first outright victory of the season ahead of their blockbuster clash with Laanecoorie Dunolly.
The knock of Evans has been somewhat overshadowed by the wizardry of Akhtar, continuing his development as a more batter-centric all-rounder with his second half-century of the season after scoring just 117 runs in 2024/25.
As for Clunes, they will aim to prevent the Colts from stampeding towards the maximum 12 points like they did to Carisbrook last round, surviving by just one wicket.
Noah Davies, Brett Coon and Ahmed Rehman will look to add to their wicket tallies from day one and slow their opponents’ run rate, which currently sits at 5.2 an over.
Rehman and Coon were bright spots in a disappointing batting showcase for the Magpies that saw them bowled out for 71 in just 28.2 overs last Saturday.
With leading run-scorer Mitch Coppick and former MDCA Team of the Year member Jude McGuire unavailable, Rehman and Coon will be tasked with Clunes escaping with just a first innings defeat.
That will be a difficult endeavor against a bowling unit that has taken the most wickets in the competition this season, thanks to a well-balanced attack.
Heading into round 14, the Colts had four bowlers who had taken double-digit wickets this season in Akhtar, Nick Henderson, Evans and Jack Gallimore, with stalwart seamer Dayne Baker and off-season newcomer Josh Collinson close behind on eight.
The Colts only needed four bowlers to dismantle Clunes last weekend, with Henderson and Baker setting the tone with two early wickets before Akhtar and Gallimore bulldozed the Magpies’ middle and lower order.