Lions lose season opener

By Todd Whelan

Darley Cricket Club

East Ballarat has cruised to a comfortable nine wicket win on the road over Darley in the opening round of the new BCA 2022/23 season last weekend.

While the Lions looked vulnerable without ‘soon to arrive’ big guns Danza Hyatt and Harry Killoran, it was their inability to break through with the ball that gave greater cause for concern. Defending 180 on the hard wicket of Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve was always going to be a tougher ask than on the slow turf wicket and outfield of Darley Park, that is currently in maintenance and recovery mode, on the back of consistent wet weather and recently completed football program. Of the four BCA First Grade games at the weekend, all eight teams with the exception of Darley manufactured six wickets or more with the ball. Strike bowler Madushanka Ekanayake (1/27) was the only Lions wicket taker removing Rory Low 68 (93) with the game seemingly beyond reach at 1/130. Only Ekanayake and left arm seamer Mitch Ward (0/39) went for less than four runs an over on a perfect spring day for cricket, made ideal for batting. Ironically it was Ward who took the catch to give Ekanayake and the Lions their only breakthrough.

There were some encouraging signs for the Lions looking forward with the bat. Reigning EJ Cleary Medalist Dilon Chandima 38 (41) looked in ominous touch before he was bowled as he and 17-year-old debutant Rocky Hoey put on 52 runs in good time to lay the foundations of the innings.

Hoey gave every indication his knock of 27 was a merely a small step en route to a mountain of runs for his beloved club where he played all his junior cricket. Unfortunately, his dream start was cut shorter than expected after he was tragically run out. Cricket sure can fill you with the greatest joy one minute and leave you shattered the next. But, as his namesake would suggest, ‘Rocky’ will surely bounce back for the sequel and beyond.

Former Captain Brad Barnes 23 (27) tried to elevate the nature of the innings with a cameo half hour knock before he was caught with the innings now on tenterhooks at 4/118 but still eyeing a 200 run total with Hasi Wickramasinghe looking set at the crease. In true ‘Hasi’ style the Lions General tried to see out the innings while losing Ekanayake 2 (10) and Mitch Ward 12 (17) along the way before he was eventually dismissed for 42(72). There was just no time for any further accumulation as the Lions finished 8/180 – not nearly enough given wickets in hand.

The Lions will aim to bounce back on the road this week when they meet Brown Hill (2nd).

BCA FIRST GRADE – (ROUND 1)

Darley 8/180, Overs 50. H. Wickramasinghe 42, D. Chandima 38, R. Hoey 27.

East Ballarat 1/182, Overs 42. M. Ekanayake 1/27 (off 10 ov).

Darley lost by 9 wickets – (Darley now 8th)