Sport
22 February, 2024
Tricky task for Carisbrook as they chase 403
How Carisbrook approach tomorrow’s second day at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve will be fascinating. On one hand, chasing Laanecoorie Dunolly’s score of 403 is extremely daunting, and most likely, too far a mountain to climb for the Brookers. On...
How Carisbrook approach tomorrow’s second day at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve will be fascinating.
On one hand, chasing Laanecoorie Dunolly’s score of 403 is extremely daunting, and most likely, too far a mountain to climb for the Brookers.
On another hand, however, the second day of Carisbrook’s two-day games this season have seen them play with controlled aggression, putting up some good individual scores, and getting the opportunity to play to their liking at times.
Certainly, Laanecoorie Dunolly look likely to have earned first innings points — 402 is rare territory, even for the perennial champions.
But it’s also a result of good batting on day one, with Luke Smith hitting 108, Sergio Rosier providing 94, Zach Graham 89, as well as Matt Smith’s 53.
However, there might be a few fireworks from Carisbrook’s top order out in the middle come Saturday.
Dean Nalder has put together a fine individual season for the Brookers, and will undoubtedly relish getting to play with quite the freedom he craves.
When he was able to do that against Colts Phelans a few weeks ago, he scored a century, and backed it up with a 65 in their last game against Beaufort.
Cole Harris is another that has benefitted from having freedom to play to his liking, having scored his second 50 of the season in his last knock against Beaufort.
Add in the likes of Martin Mark and Brayden Wright, and there could be some good intentions from Carisbrook regardless of what happens on Saturday.
Doing so against a Laanecoorie Dunolly bowling outfit is tricky, however, especially coming into the finals.
Joe Lovel, Daniel Romeo, Graham, Rosier and Sam Bartlett have all taken 14 or more wickets this season, with Graham perhaps the most in-form of late after taking a five-wicket haul in their win against Clunes.
The Brookers will be hoping to prevent their fourth five-wicket haul in the two-day campaign, with Lachlan Morganti, Nick Henderson and Joe Kingsbury each taking a five-for in their respective games against them this season.
Laane haven’t often dealt in five-wicket hauls this season, given their vast bowling depth, and could yet utilise bowlers such as Ben Gunn, Jarred Russell and Thang Nguyen to keep their eye in ahead of their finals campaign.