Lions on top after outright win

By Todd Whelan

Darley surged to the top of the BCA table from outside the top four in one fell swoop after claiming the two wickets required on day two for a convincing outright win over Buninyong.

Day 1 was led by some individual brilliance with both bat and ball, as the Lions simply dominated the winless Buninyong after winning the toss and sending the hosts in.

What transpired thereafter is truly extraordinary as third gamer Liam Cornford announced his arrival on the big stage, dismissing six of the last seven Buninyong batsmen to finish with the amazing figures of 6/7.

The off spinner broke through for his first wicket to have the hosts reeling at 4/37, triggering a monumental batting collapse of epic proportions.

The Bunnies capitulated to be all out for 52 in under 31 overs. Just two Buninyong batsmen made it to double figures as the Lions found themselves with bat in hand and foundations laid toward a potential outright win.

Enter Danza Hyatt. Remember him?

Much to Buninyong’s chagrin and misfortune, the former West Indian international returned to the Lions line up for his first hit-out of the new season. Ninety-five minutes after the dynamic right-hander walked to the crease to open the innings he was unbeaten on 100.

Buninyong certainly didn’t need a reminder of Hyatt’s ‘scary’ capabilities with the bat as he muscled his way to his third century in seven knocks against the club dating back to the 2018/19 season. Against Buninyong alone, Hyatt has 598 runs at a healthy 149.5 average including scores of 100*, 96, 82*, 116, 151*, 0 and 53. Bordering on the ridiculous.

Fellow opener Dilon Chandima 27(15), Harry Killoran 24(30) and promoted pinch hitter Madushanka Ekanayake 15*(18) played the support role for Hyatt’s 75 ball innings that included nine fours and four sixes. The Lions declared, sniffing the increasing likelihood of an outright opportunity with the score at 2/171 from just 23 overs.

The hosts were sent in for a second time, with a chance to appease the disaster first attempt with willow in hand. Quite frankly, it just went from bad to worse as the feverish Lions attack led by Ekanayake (4/16) ripped through the Bunnies’ top and middle order to have them in all sorts at 8/22 off 20 overs at the close of play.

Despite a nervous wait on day two, the weather gods were kind enough to allow play to commence at 3pm. Resuming on 8/22, the hosts offered little resistance to be bowled out for 30 in their second innings. Ekanayake cleaned up the tail to finish with 6/20.

Lions coach Brian Wheelahan was really proud of his entire group but couldn’t ignore the outstanding contributions of a few individuals.

“You couldn’t have written a better script,” he said.

“Ekka bowled with some serious heat to clean them up in the second innings, and Liam’s (Cornford) effort in just his third game confirmed our depth with the ball while Dayle Locke proved again he is a wicket taker.”

Wheelahan later described the team oriented response with the bat to help set up the outright scenario as ‘selfless’.

“The big fella’s back with a vengeance putting on another clinic, notching up another club ton while he (Hyatt) and Dil (Chandima) got us off to a flyer,” he said.

“Harry (Killoran) looked poised at the crease and played his role for the greater good of the team while ‘Ekka’ bowled with some serious heat chasing the outright.”

Unfortunately, Sunday’s Round 7 meeting with Naps-Sebas on Darley Park was cancelled.

The Lions must now prepare for their Round 8, two-day fixture against third placed East Ballarat at Darley Park beginning on Saturday.

RESULTS

BCA 1st GRADE – (R6)

Buninyong 52, Overs 30.4. L. Cornford 6/7, Da Locke 2/18.
Darley 1/171 dec, Overs 23. D. Hyatt 100*, D. Chandima 27.
Buninyong 30, Overs 24.3.  M. Ekanayaka 6/20, Da Locke 2/2.

Darley WON OUTRIGHT by and innings and 89 runs.

BCA 1st GRADE – (R7)

Darley vs Naps – Sebas (wash-out)
Match drawn (Darley now 1st)

BCA 2nd GRADE – (R1)

Brown Hill 8/205, Overs 45. W. Kilmartin 3/15.
Darley 135, Overs 36.4. J. Murphy 26, B. Ward 20.

Darley LOST by 70 runs

BCA 3rd GRADE – (R1)

Darley 7/161, Overs 40. D. Hoey 64, N. Dodemaide 29.
Buninyong 159, Overs 40. J. Hynes 4/33, G. Martindale 2/19

Darley WON by 2 runs