13.9.23
A very big welcome back to Cricket – and in case you hadn't heard - none as big as the welcome Dean Cassar gave Mapgies in Div 3 – with a glorious 228 – and for all the record searches I’ve done, the highest score by a Summer Hill Batter.
We celebrated 5 wins out of 6 matches over the weekend – a great start to the season.
During September all matches start at 1pm, and all 1 day matches are 30 overs per side.
Both Div 8 sides celebrated their wins at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL after the match – if you are playing locally, come on by the Club to celebrate, or commiserate.
Div 6 start a 2 day match this weekend, while all other teams have a 1 day match.
Batting and Bowling highlights
Batting:
228 Dean Cassar Div 3
59 Luca Agius Div 8 Blue
55 Lucas O’Dea Div 2
53* Arup Saha Div 3
51 Leo Tarbox Div 8 Blue
Milestones
Games Played
50 Kavit Parekh Div 6
50 Sidhant Nidimoru Div 8 Blue
Runs
2,500 Rehaan Nawaz Div 2
2,000 Dharmin Thakkar Div 7
Training
Thursday evening Training will start at Lees Park in October, once Daylight Savings starts
Enjoy your Cricket!
Phil
Phil – President
m 0417 234 761
2nd Division
Match Report: Richie Benaud
Round 1: Summer Hill 1/102 def Deccan Cricket Club 97
G'day, cricket fans! We've got a ripper of a match to report on from Ewen Park. Hold onto your cork hats, folks, 'cause this one's a beauty! It all started with a construction site on the field!
Now, let me take you through the action. Deccan, they had first crack with the bat, but oh boy, it was a tough day at the office for 'em. They were bowled out for a mere 96 runs, and it took 'em a full 20 overs to get there. Talk about struggles, mate!
Our bowlers were the real stars today. M. Selwood was on fire, snatching 2 wickets for just 11 runs off his 3 overs. And then we had D. Greenhalgh, who was absolutely unplayable, grabbing 4 wickets for a mere 6 runs off 7 balls. But let's not forget the real hero, H. Shujaat, who bowled a game-changing spell, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs off his 6 overs. He was oh so close to that elusive 5 wicket haul, missing out due to some dreadful catching.
Now, onto our batting display. We made light work of that 97-run target. L. O'Dea was the hero of the day, notching up an unbeaten 55 runs. He was as cool as a cucumber out there. R. Nawaz played a fine supporting role with his 26 not out, helping us reach 102 runs in 15.1 overs sealing it off with a six.
And now, it's time for the awards:
1. Bowler of the match brought to you by Sydney Water: This one goes to H. Shujaat, who bowled a game-changing spell, striking at a wicket per over for his first 4 overs. He made the batsmen feel like they were in hot water.
2. Batsman of the match brought to you by Bluehaven Pools: L. O'Dea, take a bow, mate! Your thirst for runs was unquenchable, and you delivered when it mattered the most.
3. Donkey of the Week brought to you by the home of Camel Burgers, Greenacre’s very own, Grill Masterz: Unfortunately, every match has its ups and downs. The "Donkey of the Week" award goes to Team Deccan for their struggle with the bat today. Better luck next time, lads!
That's a wrap from Ewen Park, folks! It was a cracker of a game. Up next we take on Marrickville! Enjoy your cricket, and keep those sixes flying!
Best Batting
55 Lucas O’Dea
26* Rehaan Nawaz
Best Bowling
4/6 David Greenhalgh
4/31 Hamid Shujat
2/11 Mitchell Selwood
3rd Division
Match Report: Jay Karim
Round 1: Summer Hill 6/337 def Magpies 6/242
Thirds started our season at Croydon Park against Magpies Seniors. Having researched and gathered intel prior to the game, we knew we’d be challenged by Magpies as they had just come off a whirlwind 2022 of being undefeated and winning 4th Division. First blood was drawn by Magpies, who flicked the coin onto captain Jay’s shoe and still won the toss (pure alpha move). Magpies elected to bowl, and with both SH openers yet to arrive at the field, things were off to a sketchy start.
Openers Tarek and Dean eventually made it to the ground and then, after a few more minutes, into the middle. A few dots to start, and then an auspicious drive through midwicket by Tarek brought up the first runs of the day. Auspicious, because Tarek doesn’t usually play onto the onside until a minimum of 40 balls. The players in the dugout knew we were in for something special.
Tarek, now brimming with confidence, threw caution to the wind and flayed anything loose that was sent his way. Tarek drove and cut his way to a flier, putting the Magpies bowlers to the sword and leaving their plans in disarray. Dean, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically quiet - brooding, biding, making minute assessments in quiet contemplation: picture a leaf swaying in the wind, or the calm before the storm, or the little Yakuza boss in a white suit from that one episode of the Simpsons.
At the fall of the first wicket (Tarek LBW for 24), the score was 1/33 off 6. Dean was 5 off 14. And then hell broke loose:
28 4s.
16 6s.
The innings had everything.
The customary Dean pulls and jabs, elegant flicks through the onside, taking on the big boundary with slogs and clearing it effortlessly. Everything Dean touched was gold; everything went either to, or over, the rope. Rangers CC on Oval 1 found themselves fielding more balls from Dean than our Div 6 team, lead by Tushar.
At the end of it all, Dean was 228 from 92 balls. Ably supported by Arup on debut (53 off 36), the pair put on 200 in 15 overs. Summer Hill Bandits were sitting pretty at a mammoth 337/6 by the close of the innings.
The bowling innings began with spearhead Raf and veteran Umer sharing the new ball. With Magpies inclined to play their shots, the pair combined well to prise out the first wicket - a miscue off Raf to Fahim at cover. Fahim chipped in next with the second wicket, courtesy of a full of a length out-swinger, which kissed the outside edge to give Brady his first catch of many for Thirds.
In came the main man of the Magpies side - a ring-in, from First Grade Premier Cricket (hello grading committee???). He charges $6,000 for coaching, so the boys were very keen on proving themselves - if not for the achievement of getting a First Grader out, then to avenge one of their own being swindled.
Alas, after a few early close shaves where both Jay and Fahim enticed some false shots, it wasn’t to be. The $6,000 man only played one shot, but what a shot it was - a slog-sweep through midwicket/square leg that he could do to anything even slightly straight. Wickets continued to fall around him, with Jay managing to pick up two scalps in his spell. Despite regularly scoring two boundaries an over, the asking rate was too much for even $6,000 to bear. Eventually, Mads provided our first consistent spell of keeping the ball wide and $6,000 duly holed out to Wassi at cover for a valiant 135.
With 120 odd still needed from the last 4 overs, the game was curtains. The lower order of Magpies batted well, but the ask was too steep. Special shout out to Raf for officially shedding the title of ‘Unga Bunga’ fast bowler by taking his first wicket with a slower ball. Another shout out to Shute, who, playing in his first match for Summer Hill, buoyed the team despite the carnage from the first grader - with great chat, tidy fielding and an earnest enjoyment for the game. All newcomers to the team were on the field to share in the winning moment and now, properly blooded - they are now part of the team proper.
Tune in next week for another report from Thirds, including Big Dilir's debut as keeper!
Best Batting
228 Dean Cassar
53* Arup Saha
24 Tarek Rahman
Best Bowling
2/30 Raf Bruzzese
2/64 Jay Karim
6th Division
Round 1: Summer Hill 6/144 def by Rangers Cricket Club 5/152
Best Batting
38 Andy Manchester
27 Ripple Parekh
24 Nihil Rawal
24 Gaurang Parekh
Best Bowling:
4/14 Tushar Gupta
7th Division
Match Report: Dharmin Thakkar
Round 1: Summer Hill 161 def Belmore Rovers 146
After a solid Winter Cricket season, our 15th and 18th Division teams have come together, hoping to have a successful Summer – there is lots of excitement in the team!
We won the toss and elected to bat, with the intent of putting big score on a small Allum Park.
Our openers got us off to a great start – a 50 partnership in the first match is a great way to start. The loss of a couple of quick wickets set us back, but we steadied and were 3/79 at drinks. We continued to lose wickets after drinks. At 8 for 117 runs things looked dicey, but thanks to some great batting from Shaik and Ben we posted a respectable score – although 161 runs felt below par.
Defending 161 was going to take a lot of discipline. Prabhu and Ben started with a very economical spell which then followed by our bowler of the day, Muniraj, who took the important wicket of the Belmore Captain – his spell getting 2 wickets for just 18 runs.
The game was quite balanced with Belmore needing 43 runs in 5 overs with 4 wickets in hand. Our yorker specialist Gourav with his first over of the day during death over period, took 2 quick wickets and Umer took his first wicket for Summer Hill.
Belmore were dismissed for 148 runs, giving us our first victory of the season.
Best Batting
45 Dharmin Thakkar
32* Shaik Abdullah
25 Ben Rawat
Best Bowling
2/18 Muniraj Mahajan
2/14 Gourav Tripathi
2/29 Prabhu Rajendran
8th Division Gold
Match Report: Pat Cullen
Round 1: Summer Hill Gold 6/144 def Ashfield Cricket Club 8/137
The mighty Goldies, reunited after their most successful season ever last year got off on the right foot with a comprehensive victory over new boys Ashfield in the opening fixture of the season. Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Goldies got off to a great start, predictably via that man Jim Bandas. with your author Paddy Cullen holding onto a diving catch at mid-off in the 3rd over.
David Bailey-Mckay chimed in with a pole the very next over as the wickets started to tumble with Cullen, Rema, PJ and Jimmy all taking wickets. Their number four batter, a tall, gangly teenager called Oscar proved difficult to dislodge, making a well made 80 as the wickets fell around him. ACC finishing up with 137 off their 30 overs. Slightly more than desirable for the Goldies!
Ken started brightly with the bat, but departed quickly for 8. Michael Lee batted beautifully and with great intent. Jitendra made effective use of the small boundaries and quick outfield for 13. But it was when Rema came to the crease that the game changed. His quickfire 30 (all boundaries) blasted the ACC attack to all courts, and while he did brutally run out Michael Lee, the momentum shifted. The quick loss of Zeeshan and Sanderson put some wobbles in the tail but the two batting heroes from last year Sarfaraz (38*) and Jimmy Bandas (10*) combined for a 50 run partnership that got the Goldies home with time to spare.
Best Batting
38* Sarfaraz ali Nangyal
30 Pulok Rema
21 Michael Lee
Best Bowling
3/23 Jim Bandas
Best fielding
Ken Campbell catching an absolute rocket, and a possible broken rib at square leg!
8th Division Blue
Match Report: Luca Agius
Round 1: Summer Hill Blue 8/195 def Summer Hill Seniors 7/76
To begin the season, Summer Hill 8th Blue were sent into bat by Summer Hill Seniors. As per usual, captain Phil lost the toss so everyone was glad to know things were the same as had been left. However, this was not the case for opening pair L.Agius and Gibbo. Luca was batting with Covid and the pair brought up their first fifty partnership together off just 6.3 overs. So, the batting was clearly on the up for Blue (especially since Phil only scored 10) and we ended up scoring a team record of 196 from their 30 overs. Fifties to L.Agius and L.Tarbox, smashing his previous best of 20 odd, the highlights with contributions across the board marking an excellent batting performance.
Blue took their momentum into the bowling innings and had the game just about wrapped up after the opening spells. Tight bowling saw Rohan and Sidhant rewarded with wickets leaving Seniors in the dust with 2/39 at the break. After the break, Mike and Owen chipped in for wickets and Lachie Schreuder cashed in big taking 3 wickets through his spell. Special mention to Rayhan Islam who has finally taken a good catch after many attempts.
Seniors finished 7/76 from their 30. Smiles all around. The word 'complete' perfectly sums up the 120 run domination from Summer Hill Blue. Glad to be on the other end of a thumping for once.
Best Batting
59 Luca Agius
51 Leo Tarbox
24 Mark Gibson
Best Bowling
3/7 Lachie Schreuder