Sport
4 February, 2025
Warm weather doesn’t slow play for Carisbrook
Carisbrook has set a total of 181 for Laanecoorie Dunolly to chase after batting throughout the sweltering heat on Saturday.
After winning the toss, the visitors chose to bat at Deledio Recreation Reserve, giving openers Brayden Wright and Martin Mark a chance to put Carisbrook in a strong position early.
Wright was particularly keen to make his start right away, scoring 16 off just 22 balls before he was caught by Matt Smith off the bowling of Zach Graham.
Graham was at it again four overs later, removing the in-form Jordan Hooper after he was caught behind by wicket-keeper Tom Hannett for four.
With Carisbrook at 2/26 after 11 overs, Martin Mark and new man William Coutts adopted a more defensive approach, ensuring they got the most out of their wickets.
Laane was happy to oblige to their tactic, bowling a consistent line and length to bring the run rate down below two.
However, after 22 overs and 30 runs added to the total, the hosts couldn’t break this sturdy partnership, so Laane brought Kamaljot Romana into the attack.
The tricky spinner brought the breakthrough on his third ball, with Martin Mark caught by Graham after making 22 from 94 balls.
That brought the dangerous Dean Nalder into the game, who looked to replicate his performance last round against Beaufort and increase the run rate.
It wouldn’t be the case however, as he hit a Romana full toss right into the waiting arms of Sam Bartlett in the deep after making six.
In the space of two overs, Romana placed Carisbrook firmly on the back foot at 4/64, with new batsman Liam Hurse joining Coutts to pick up the pieces.
The pair added another 22 to the score before Alex Cook grabbed a wicket on the last ball before tea, as Hurse held out in the deep to Joe Lovel for 11.
When play resumed at 5/86, Yadav joined Coutts at the crease to create a Jekyll and Hyde 34-run partnership, with Coutts’ conservative approach complementing Yadav’s aggressive batting.
It would come to an end at the hands of Graham, who collected his third wicket of the day by bowling Yadav after a quickfire 25.
After surviving 45 overs and 128 balls, Coutts was caught by Tom Hart for 38, giving Cook his second wicket.
Now at 7/125, the Carisbrook tail was tasked with adding some extra runs to make a defendable total.
New batsmen Cooper Mark and Cole Harris delivered, providing 32 runs before Smith got into the act, bowling Cooper Mark for 12.
Smith would grab another wicket in his next over, ending the handy cameo of Atticus Cullinan for 11 as he was caught by Josh Britten.
Romana would finish off the tail as Harris was caught by Smith after making an important 26.
Carisbrook were all out for 181, a 32-run improvement from the total they defended last round against Beaufort.
Caleb Cuff was left not out on four and Coutts got the highest score with his disciplined 38.
Three wickets for Graham (3/39) and Romana (3/44) were just rewards for their effort with the ball, and they were well supported by other wicket-takers Smith (2/17) and Cook (2/37).
