JOHN MCCALLUM, CONVENOR OF CRICKET
Waverley had a strong day across the grounds, with the bowlers in particular having great success and showing improved accuracy and consistency. The standard of fielding has also been impressive and improving in recent weeks with some ripping catches and a number of direct-hit run-outs featuring. The often un-sung hero of a fielding team are the wicket-keepers, and it has been great to see many boys work hard at training and in their matches to provide their teams with the safety and catching skills to increase their competitiveness on the field. A few stars behind the stumps in recent weeks have been Oliver Rinder and Rory Doyle in the Opens, and Will Hickey, Jack Rigg and James Fragias in our younger teams. Waverley is known for producing the best spin bowlers in the CAS competition, making it even more critical for teams to back this up with quality wicket-keeping.
The 2nd XI enjoyed a strong start on Day 1 against St Aloysius, with keeper Ollie Rinder having an exceptional day with 2 catches, a stumping… then 2 wickets in 2 balls with his bowling! This leaves him on a hat-trick when he next takes the ball – likely in the 2nds innings with Waverley needing 60 more runs to take a 1st innings lead. Jackson Dodd is to be congratulated in backing up from the morning 10A match to take 2 wickets and contribute a stylish 35 runs in the 2nds. Jackson took 2 wickets earlier for the 10As, as did Pat Hoggett in dismissing St Aloysius for 244. The runs are waiting for the multitude of quality batsmen in the 10A side, but they must be more focussed and determined to take their opportunities when at the crease.
The 9A team established a strong total of 5/205 on Day 1 of their 2-day game, with Maxim Brooks balancing great attack and solid defence to score a great 89 runs, supported well by both Daniel McSweeney and Ryland Short who each contributed 35 runs. The 8As were again so close to the victory, just falling short of the 128 run target. Hirav Gandhi led the batting with a fluent 47, and Connor Andrews, Charles Hely-Hammond and Carter Steyn all put on a late charge with positive batting, but more intensity with placement and running between wickets in the earlier overs is required to break the shackles. The 8B and 8C teams had entertaining matches in close defeats, with Ethan McCardle strong in a commanding innings of 60 runs.
1st XI Report – Day 1 v St Aloysius
Mr G Elliot and Mr R Bryant, Coaches
Round 3 saw Waverley 1st XI return to Queens Park for the third two-day match of the season. St Aloysius won the toss and elected to bat on what looked to be a good toss to win. It turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster for both coaches involved, with momentum firmly in Waverley’s favour up until lunch. The bowling unit as a whole bowled extremely well to create pressure from both ends and restrict them to 107 of 67.4 overs.
Lachlan Forrest bowled supremely well to end up with 4/35 off 24.5 consecutive overs. Within that spell he also accrued 10 maidens with an economy rate of 1.41 runs per over. Ryan Smith and Alex Ferrara both chipped in with two wickets each and applied the pressure from the other end. Congratulations to Oliver Ruse for taking three crucial catches during the Aloysius innings.
After dismissing St Aloysius for 107, the opening pair of Ferrara and McNamara looked to finish the job off for the team. Unfortunately, things did not go to plan. At stumps on day one Waverley are currently 8/57. Whilst still not out of reach, it will be up to the remaining 3 batsmen of Harry Schultz, Liam Andrews and Ryan Smith to get the first innings win. There’re still another 94 overs to be played on Day 2 and with that, anything could happen.
