A Day at Bankstown - Postcard from Downunder

 

Hello everyone,not long before County cricket re-commences at Trent Bridge and all over England. Meanwhile tales from Down Under as old Australian State rivals NSW and Victoria again locked horns. The fixtures have been re-arranged due to Covid. .

Score at close of play on Day 2:
Victoria 190 all out
NSW 7/304 .Moises Henriques 141 Peter Nevill 74

This was an excellent day for NSW with Henriques and Nevill batting assuredly on a fine, sunny Friday. Henriques, who will surely be in the Australian Test side for the Ashes series, batted with total confidence. His cover drive placements and classic straight bat gave glimpses of a bygone age when batsmen stroked 4s a la Tom Graveney rather than 'smashed' them. Nevill was quietly effective as his batting partner in a stand of 219 for the fifth wicket.

James Pattinson was the pick of Victoria's bowlers with figures of 21-4-43-2 by the close.He constantly tested the mettle of the batsmen and indeed the umpires Craig and Davidson with his appealing. His celebration of one wicket was memorable as he charged down the ground in delight, past the slips and gully almost reaching the boundary. As he was coming off the ground at lunchtime I said to him "Greetings from Trent Bridge..." to which he replied " Great people there ..lovely people mate..." I think the cognoscenti in the Randall Stand would have him back to-morrow!

The cricket ground was in immaculate order though the signage as you enter this Memorial Ground needs a lick of paint. Free entry, a sunny day, good cricket yet a poor crowd of less than 150. The friendly hosts even provided home made Anzac biscuits at $1 for a packet of two , delicious too with a cuppa.

Andy

A Day at the SCG

Former Notts lad Andy, now residing in New South Wales, has sent an account of his day at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Day 2 of the Sheffield Shield match between NSW and James Pattinson's Victoria.

Overnight score: NSW 165

Victoria 0-61

Victoria had won the toss

Both States fielded strong sides . Paddy Cummins was rested whist David Warner continues his recovery from injury. As the photo of the teams on the scoreboard shows a number of Australian Test players past and present were on view. Critical eyes were on Mitchell Starc in particular who disappointed in the recent series v. India. He had support from his cricketing wife Alyssa Healey who was in the Members' Stand watching on. Sadly for the big left-armer he had another poor day finishing with 0-71 in 14 overs. Many of his deliveries were short of a length and were punished in particular by the dashing Nic Maddinson.


Play started promptly at 10:30 am in sultry conditions. There were a number of interruptions during the day due to short, sharp showers. However, with floodlighting on at times, good work by the ground staff and pro-activity by umpires Tucker and Wilds play progressed and the final ball of the day was delivered at 7 p.m. ironically in bright sunlight. The paltry "crowd" of less than 100 were treated to some fine competitive cricket with 11 wickets falling in the day. Nic Maddinson formerly of NSW and now opening for Victoria top scored with 77. He was brilliantly caught with arms stretched above his head by Steve Smith at second slip off Sean Abbott's bowling: ( 2-109 at that stage) .

Only two sections of the SCG were open; the Ladies Stand and the Members' Stand where I was pleased to meet with friends old and new.

A marvelously agile run out was effected by Josh Hazlewood accounting for the wicket of Jake Fraser-McGurk , ( 4-155 ). There then followed a collapse as Nathan Lyon extracting turn dismissed James Pattinson, Will Sutherland, Mitchell Perry and finally Jon Holland. A mention for Trent Copeland too was a model of accuracy bowling a touch above medium pace. He finished with 14-5-17-1. His sole wicket was that of Middlesex's Peter Handscomb who after scoring 24 runs played a Copeland delivery straight into the hands of Moises Henriques. He was the leading wicket taker in the Sheffield Shield last season. Nathan Lyon ended with the excellent figures of 16-8-21-6.

Victoria had fallen away badly to 200 all out from a position of strength at 2-152.

Victoria then bowled 18.5 overs at NSW . Nick Larkin was given out LBW off a Scott Boland delivery for 9. In strode perennial nightwatchman ( why do I always envisage a dark cold night and a man warming his hands by a coke filled metal brazier ? ).

James Pattinson roared in . He looked his old aggressive self screaming appeals which will hearten Notts supporters . Scott Boland bowled very well also as did impressive, new young quick Mitchell Perry.Perry got Steve Smith out with a terrific deliveryin the first innings caught behind by Gotch (what a great name for a wicket-keeper )

No further wickets fell in the sunshine. Perhaps the morning would bring Victoria's pacemen better fortune..

Close of play Day 2:

NSW 161 & 1-31

Victoria 200

Andy

Thanks Andy - a number of photos will also be posted on Facebook so follow this link