Lions have visitors in a spin

By Todd Whelan

Darley Cricket Club

Darley are in the box seat for a fourth straight win after day one, dismissing Ballarat-Redan for a modest 164.

Spinners Liam Cornford (3/35), Hasitha Wickramasinghe (3/40) and Dilon Chandima (2/26) combined for the bulk of the damage claiming eight wickets from their 55 over contribution that included 13 maidens, while conceding 101 runs at a frugal rate of under two (runs) per over. The trio were served well in the field with the Lions taking seven catches as the visitors struggled for any real momentum after losing their second wicket with the score on 81.

Wickets then fell with increasing regularity after an encouraging start for Ballarat-Redan who won the toss on a good seeing-day for batsmen. When 1/81 became 7/124, all the favours were seemingly with the hosts, but a late rally saw Ballarat-Redan battle their way to 164 and an outside chance of victory ahead of day two.

The spinners ensured it was slow going for the batters as cricket returned at the top level to Darley Park for the first time this season.

In form Lions quick Madushanka Ekanayake continued his run of form at the top, finishing with 1/27 from his 12 overs.

The onus shifts to the Lions batting line-up ahead of this Saturday’s conclusion, their first run chase in the opening five rounds of the new season.

RESULTS
BCA 1st Grade – RD5
Day 1/2 – Ballarat-Redan 164, Overs 78.
L. Cornford 3/35, H. Wickramasinghe 3/40.
Darley needs 165 runs to win from 80 overs

BCA 2nd Grade – RD5
Day 1/2 Bacchus Marsh v Darley
No scores available

BCA 3rd Grade – RD5
Day 1/2 Ballarat-Redan 5/236, Overs 80.
R. O’Brien 2/30, A. Kannar 1/27.
Darley needs 237 runs to win from 80 overs

BCA 4th Grade – R4
Brown Hill 5/304, Overs 40.
F. Kilmartin 2/42.
Darley 8/209, Overs 40.
B. Densley 65, S. Ward 56*.
Darley lost by 95 runs.

BCA 5th Grade – R4
Darley 8/218, Overs 40.
K. Beck 68, C. Sanders 28*.
Golden Point 211, Overs 36.
A Semmens 3/0, R. Amor 2/41.
Darley won by 7 runs.