From the Convenor of Cricket, John McCallum
Waverley’s Cricket teams are continuing to work effectively in training sessions, with match performances indicating further improvement is occurring – as well as a lot of enjoyment. Team coaches are being well supported from some specialist coaching sessions, with the last fortnight seeing additional coaching from Pro Performance Cricket in throwing and fielding techniques, as well as batting, fast and spin bowling. We look forward to this partnership continuing and boys benefitting from great coaching.
Waverley has also benefitted from the addition of new student to Year 12, Jason Sangha, arriving from Newcastle to finish his schooling while he also is part of the NSW Blues Squad and Sydney Thunder Team for the upcoming Big Bash Competition. Jason is the youngest player to be given a NSW contract, and although he is unable to play Saturday games for our 1st XI due to requirements in playing 1st Grade in the Sydney Grade Competition, his leadership at training and desire to mentor and coach Waverley Cricketers has been a tremendous asset. Jason has been a part of the Australian Under 19 side, and captained the U17 Australian team, and his great character, attitude and willingness to work hard are traits of a true role model and leader for our younger boys.
On Tuesday afternoon, the 1st XI defeated Cranbrook in Round 2 of the CAS Twenty20 competition. Jason Sangha and Ben Donaldson took control of their chase of 120 after Waverley were 2/8 – putting on a quick 58 run partnership to allow Waverley to win by 7 runs on the Duckworth Lewis method when rain intervened. Jason scored a classy 40 runs from 34 balls, including 3 sixes. Earlier, Ben Scarf, Harry Whiteman and Jason Sangha all took wickets to restrict the Cranbrook batsman. Ben Donaldson continued his tremendous unbeaten run, after scoring 107 not out on Saturday for the 1sts in their total of 6/286 against Trinity. Ben worked hard to get through good bowling periods, whilst developing key partnerships; and a coach’s report follows.
Other weekend highlights from around the grounds included a entertaining 3rds nailbiter, with Taaj Davis scoring 35 and Pat Kossenberg and John Soden almost bowling Waverley to victory. Lachlan Forrest scored an impressive 56 for the 10As to help them recover in scoring 112 – though early wicket will be need her and also in the 2nds and 9As to get back some ground in their 2-day games.
The 9Cs continued their fantastic form with a great win, with Oliver Brownie and Joe Parsons both taking 2 wickets apiece, before Finn McCloskey and Jack Sonego had an unbeaten opening partnership to take victory. The 8As fell short this week in their chase of 170, though Harry Shultz was highly impressive with 4/16. The 8Bs and Cs both claimed strong victories based on improved consistency in their bowling and energetic fielding. Nick Quinn lead the 8B chase with 43 not out.
Congratulations to Year 9 and 1st XI Cricketer Mac Jenkins on his selection in the NSW CIS Team to play in the State Carnival on 5 & 6 December. Mac has thoroughly deserved selection, which was only enhanced by his rich vein of form with already a century and two scores over 50 for the 1st XI, as well as consistent wickets with his left arm orthodox spinners. Best of luck Mac!
1st XI Round 3 v Trinity
Waverley won the toss and elected to bat on what looked to be a very good batting wicket and fast outfield. The Waverley openers Jack Hardwicke-Owen and Mac Jenkins made a great start and by drinks the Trinity side had failed to take a wicket and Waverley had 45 on the board. This score had progressed to 75 when Hardwicke-Owen played slightly across the line, only to miss contact with the bat and be adjudged lbw. Alex Ferrara fell cheaply, lbw to the leg spinner when the total was on 86 and the fall of his wicket saw the umpires lift the bails for lunch.
After the break the score had moved on to 100 when Mac Jenkins, having just posted his 50, had a rush of blood attempting to lift the spinner over mid wicket only to be caught with a diving catch by the mid wicket fieldsman. Skipper Tyler Von der Heyden figured in a 20 run partnership but had failed to contribute when a fine catch was taken behind the stumps low to the right. This left Waverley in a slightly shaky position at 4 for 120, however a sensible partnership between the number 4 batsman Ben Donaldson and number 6 batsman Jacob Tomasiello saw Waverley go to the tea break at 4 for 177. After the break the score has moved on to 184 when Jacob mistimed a drive and was caught for 20. This brought Conor Molloy to the crease in his first innings for 2016. The New ball was taken with the total on 201 and as play moved into the final hour, Conor began his move striking the ball sweetly and with great power. Unfortunately with the total on 253 he mis-hit a lofted drive and was caught on the long on boundary for 29.
Ryan Connolly joined Ben, who by this time had moved into the 80’s. Connolly began to manipulate the strike allowing Donaldson to move into the 90’s. On 95 he looked to have cleared the boundary only for the umpire to signal four. Ryan played out an over from the spinner and with the first delivery of the next over Ben drove a ball through cover to the boundary rope to complete a magnificent hundred. As stumps approached Ryan Connolly wasn’t content to simply sit out the final over, guiding the first and third deliveries to the boundary. He then clipped a 2 off the toes and when the final delivery was dug in short, he played the classic pull shot to the boundary to see Waverley finish day one at 6 for 285. Ben Donaldson remained 107 not out having batted for 254 minutes, facing 212 balls and hitting 16 boundaries and Ryan 18 not out. Weather conditions with dictate how Waverley will start day two but are in a strong position. It will be up to the bowlers to play their part and steer the side to victory.
Mr J Boyd / Mr G Elliott
