The Muddies B Grade team played against the Mulgrave Toads in the Cricket Far North One Day Final at Kerribee Park, Mareeba, on Saturday, in a farcically umpired and rain affected match. Playing and winning twice against the Toads throughout the 2 day and 1 day regular season competition, the Muddies were confident of pulling off another win in the Grand Final. Arriving at Mareeba, where the game was scheduled to ensure that a dry final was played, the Muddies found that the weather decided to not play ball and produced constant drizzling rain, with heavy downpours, resulting in a late start. By the time the game got underway, it had been reduced to a 30 over a side game, with the hours of play extended until 6:30pm with no lights. Being sent in to bat, the Muddies got off to their best start in recent memory. Ben Gaske and Simeon Migliorenza set about making the weather and Mulgrave’s bowling look placid. The umpires looked set to help out Mulgrave by calling a 5 ball over. Getting through the first of the rain breaks, they set about building the innings again until Simeon was caught for 15. Nathan Taig joined Gaske at the crease, and looked to increase the scoring rate. Sneaking through for a single, Taig was caught short with a direct hit seeing him out for 9. Hayden ‘Saucy’ D’Addona then set about building a positive partnership, easily working the bowlers around on a field that suited there style of play. This went along well until a change in bowling saw HD caught behind for 8. Ezzy Mac was supporting Gaske well until Ben was once again adjudicated LBW. Benny Vik came to the crease with 11 overs left. Looking to lift the rate, he smashed the first two balls, with the second hitting Ethan’s foot and ricocheting into the umpires chest, knocking him back. With a certain 4 squandered, Vik went for a cut shot, but only found an edge to the keeper to be dismissed for a globe. Ethan then followed shortly after, being very unlucky to be given out caught even though he didn’t hit the ball. This brought Adam Lucas and Gary Postons together. Easing their way into the game, they waited until the last few overs to cut loose, putting together one of B grades biggest partnerships for the season. The number 7 and 8 put on a massive 67 run partnership off 8 overs, dispatching the bowlers to all parts of the ground. This could have been even better, but for another short over; this time over was called after just 4 balls. Luco and Buckets hit sixes and fours at will, and showed deft touch when needed, running quick singles as well. The rain then started to fall in copious amounts with in the last over. One umpire wanted to come off and get the covers on, the other wanted to stay out and finish the over. They ended up staying out in pouring rain, making the pitch a slippery mess. Pushing a second run, Luco was run out in the last over. Buckets then hit another 4 to take the Muddies total to a defendable 149 off 30 overs. With the pitch more than damp, the covers were then put on during the break, causing the pitch to sweat, guaranteed to increase the slipperiness of the pitch. With confidence up, but feeling some pressure being the top team going into the final, the Muddies wanted to start extremely well. With the wet deck preventing DJ and Luco from getting a solid grip while bowling, the balls were not bowled where they needed to be. The first few overs didn’t go to plan, with the Toads reaching 28 off just 6 overs. An early change saw ‘Kaos’ Sorensen take up the attack, immediately reducing the scoring rate. This allowed Luco to pick up his first wicket for the day, rattling the batters castle. Bowling his fastest and most accurate spell of the season, Kaiden found the edge of the new batter, only to see it put down behind the stumps. Kaiden continued to bowl an unplayable spell, beating both batters on numerous occasions, but couldn’t find another edge. Deep bowled some good balls but again struggled with grip. Benny Vik and Hayden joined in the bowling, and both bowled some good balls. Ben’s extra weight provided some further grip problems, producing some wayward balls that were quickly dispatched to the boundary. Hayden continued to bowl well, working on restricting the scoring. Buckets bowled an over in the middle but struggled with rhythm. With six overs left, the light was nearly gone, 39 runs were still needed and with 9 wickets in hand, the Toads were still in the box seat. Jumping on any loose chances, the Toads increased their scoring rate without any dangerous play. The Muddies just seemed unable to restrict the scoring or have any success in getting wickets, until Luco got his second wicket with his last delivery. 13 runs were needed off the last two overs in dismal conditions. Dave Johnson bowled a tight over, until an edge found its way to the boundary, with 9 coming from the over. Needing only 4 to win, and the main strike bowlers all used up, Benny Vik attempted to do the impossible. The first ball was a dot wide outside off stump. Ball two was hit for a single. Going for the kill, Ben attempted a Yorker at the stumps, only to see it hit back over his head for four to lose the game. The Muddies losing with just 3 balls left in the innings. The Muddies played a good game, but were just simply outplayed on the day. It was a disappointing end to a very good one day season, but the main two day game title is still up for grabs. SUNDAY Backing up after their one day final loss on Saturday, B Muddies took on Rovers at home in the last 2 day game of the regular season. Winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Muddies were keen to put yesterday’s loss behind them. One again, things didn’t go to plan, with Ben being given out LBW on a shocker of a call (same umpire as previous day). Focusing on building partnerships when batting, the Muddies struggled in this department, with Nathan, Simeon, Hayden and Ethan all back in the sheds with the total only on 13. Benny Vik and Buckets set about rebuilding the innings, taking their time, waiting for the loose ball to score on. Gary saw his opportunity on a full toss, but missed that it was a slower ball, and was through his shot before he had time to adjust and lost his stumps. Luco joined Ben at the crease for an 18 run partnership until Ben was given out caught behind for hitting his shoe, not the ball. Kaiden provided little resistance to be out for 2. Luco was then bowled, and DJ was caught for 3; Muddies all out for 79. Rovers were looking for quick runs and to take the shine of the ball, and sent in their lower order batters. This was short lived with Kaiden picking up three quick wickets, having Rovers 3 – 17. This gave the Muddies lots of hope, but it began to fade, with same patient and intelligent batting on display. Six bowlers were tried for the afternoon, but no more wickets were taken. The Rovers batters took no risks, and showed good patience, knowing that they didn’t have to score quickly to chase down a small total. Rovers finished the afternoon on 3 – 49, still needing 30 runs to win. A week is a long time in cricket, and who knows what next week will bring for the Muddies?
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 23:37:48 +0000
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