Outright win looms for Lions

By Todd Whelan

Darley remains on the cusp of a memorable outright win over Buninyong, as day one action concluded at the weekend.

The Lions need just two wickets to secure the maximum 10 points, and likely return to the top four.

Led by some individual brilliance with both bat and ball, 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 disastrous 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. It’s likely a washout on day two is all that stands in the way of a Lions outright win.

Lions coach Brian Wheelahan was really proud of his entire group but couldn’t ignore the outstanding contributions of a few individuals on a near perfect day for the club.

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

“Liam (Cornford) cashed in highlighting our depth with the ball and Dayle Locke proved again he is a wicket taker.”

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

“The big fella’s back with a vengeance putting on another clinic, notching up another club ton while he 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.”

According to Wheelahan, Lions wicketkeeper Andy Pickett said he hasn’t felt ‘Ekka’ hitting the gloves harder.

“An outright result would put us in good stead before Sunday’s all-important clash against Naps-Seb,” he said.

“All we need is two wickets.”

BCA FIRST GRADE – (RD 6 – Day 1)

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 8/22, Overs 20. M.Ekanayaka 4/16, Da Locke 2/2.

Darley lead by an innings and 97 runs.