Thatcher spins North to win

Thatcher spins North to win

For the second time this season, Aiden Thatcher’s leg breaks spun North Sportsman’s to a crucial win over Penola in the final one-day round of the 2020-21 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association season.

Back in round 4, Thatcher bowled the Tigers to an unlikely win at McCorquindale Park and three games later his part-time leg-spin proved lethal for the Eagles once again. Despite gloomy overhead skies, North’s stand-in skipper Mitch Lewis elected to bat first after winning the toss backing his batsmen to build a total.

Runs flowed off the Brad Robinson’s bat early doors, with the opener striking a few early boundaries to get the home team off to a fast start. But in the fifth over a Michael Waters delivery found the edge of Robinson’s blade and he was caught for a breezy 19.

Runs were much harder to come by at the other end of the pitch as Jake Schutz battled his way to nine before he too fell to the dangerous Waters. After the eventful start, Michael Johnston and Thatcher used their experience to re-evaluate what was required with the bat.

With Waters on fire with the new ball, the two batsmen decided accumulating time at the crease and soaking up deliveries was more effective than taking the risky approach of chasing quick runs.

The Tigers’ middle-order duo did not hit one boundary during their 32-run stand which lasted more than 13 overs. Their union was broken by chinaman bowler Jack Mullan, who trapped Thatcher lbw on 20.

Johnston continued on his steady journey with Lewis and the pair brought the total past triple figures. Lewis showed a bit more urgency to score, but he also fell to Mullan on 20 after swinging across the line of the ball.

With the death approaching, Jordan Hollitt did not mess around and struck a six and a four before being caught at long on for 18. Hollitt’s pinch-hitting role lifted the intensity of the innings as North lost late wickets on its way to 8/155.

Johnston continued to manipulate the field until the very end and walked off with 40 not out, while Mullan and Waters both took three wickets. Penola’s run chase raced off to the perfect start when Mullan smashed Tim Young’s opening delivery all the way to the boundary rope.

However, it was the bowler who had the last laugh when Young accounted for Mullan with his ninth ball.

After initially biding his time, new-batsman Raymondo Stanton took on the bowling and struck regular boundaries. Stanton’s partner Lewis March did not apply the same theory at the other end and crawled his way to six.

The opener’s defence was eventually broken by Kayne Badman, while the Eagles’ skipper and most valuable batsmen Mark Smith fell for one shortly after.

Despite seeing two quick wickets fall at the other end, Stanton persisted with his aggressive approach. He smashed four maximums on his way to a rapid 53, which was the dominant force of Penola’s innings. However, the introduction of Thatcher’s leg-spin undid Stanton and the Eagles’ wings were clipped.

Thatcher went on a rampage knocking over Joshua Doyle, Waters, Daniel McNicol and Darcy Porter to finish with the figures of 5/23. His five-wicket haul propelled the Tigers to a 39-run win.

Heading into the Australia Day weekend break, North sits proudly in second position on the ladder, while Penola has slipped just out of the top four.

Why wait? Get more stories like this delivered straight to your inbox
Join our digital edition mailing list and stay up to date on the latest news, events and special announcements from across the Limestone Coast.

Your local real estate guide - every Thursday

spot_img

You might also like