Cricket is all about 3 different areas that you have to get right if you are to win matches. Rosaneri got the bowling and fielding more or less spot on, but the batting was so bad that the Pinks suffered a massive defeat.
The game was played in beautiful autumn conditions and the Pinks set about their task with gusto. Although a few wides were conceded, the bowling was very good and the fielding was exceptional. This was two out of the three elements ticked off as Rosaneri headed in to tea having limited Botany Bay to 167.
At tea the game was nicely poised with Rosaneri probably slight favourites.
However, the mother of all batting collapses saw Rosaneri in chaos at 12 for 5. The tail end ensured that some pride was restored by managing to haul the total somewhere near the 100 mark. In hindsight, the batting order probably created its own problems and the tail end had far too much to do without the cushion of wickets.
Jim and Gareth batted with fight and spirit to add 49 for the 9th wicket and restore some pride to a team that had taken a battering in the batting department.
Defeat was the end result and Botany Bay go 1-0 up in a two match series.
However, it must be noted that this was a good team effort against strong 2nd/3rd XI opposition. In fact, we should be very proud of the effort as there were lots of positives to take away from the match.
Player notebook:
B.Underwood – Fielded without mistake and looked to have got going with the bat before a rash shot signaled his departure.
Alfieri – More great fielding as is now expected, but misery at a Golden Duck.
Tona – Very smart ground fielding and seemed to be defensively on top of good opening bowling, but was given Lbw to one that kept low.
Cully – Kept wicket brilliantly and claimed 3 dismissals. Steadied the ship with the bat, and helped set up the mini batting comeback. However, did get out to a tired looking shot.
M.Cox – Will be disappointed with his batting, but did contribute to the team effort with some good ground fielding. However, did put down two catching opportunities.
Rose – Nice little opening spell with the ball, but his batting a shade disappointing. Must learn the art of picking which bowlers and which balls to attack.
Downing – Bowled a very tidy 8 over spell that limited runs and took vital wickets. Walked out to bat into a war zone with the score at 12 for 5, but as now has become expected, hung around and accumulated runs to make a fight of it.
N.Shewring – Stood up when the Captain needed him to and bravely bowled a straight 8 overs uphill with a short leg side boundary. Didn’t get any wickets, but bowled with a nice economy at a crucial stage of the match. Got bowled with a brilliant quicker ball from a spin bowler. Also took a great slip catch.
S.Shewring – Bowled with pace and bounce that created numerous wicket taking chances and returned his personal best figures for the club. Never looked fluent with the bat.
G.Cox – Bowled so so up the hill, but came alive in a second spell down the hill. Put nice figures in the book and held a decent catch. But his batting was the real high point. Went out to the middle with intentions of winning the game. A gutsy effort that will stick in the selectors minds for sure.
Freeman – Another magnificent bowling display that on a day when only the bowlers shone, must surely steer him in the direction of a long deserved man of the match award. Picked up 2 wickets and only gave away 11 runs in 7 overs. But what made this an even better performance was the fact that he was bowling up the hill.