CRICKET SNICKS
LANG LANG twins Dylan and Hayden Diehl knocked off a couple of unique accomplishments in their G Grade win over LYNDHURST. Chasing the Vikings’ 124, the Diehls were brought to the crease at 4/138 and made a 28-run partnership. Not sure what the twins-record in WEST GIPPSLAND is, but their innings would be one of the rarer going around. Dylan knocked 31 runs into the ledger before copping a sharp stumping at 5/166 and Hayden followed him from the crease with the score still on 166. We’ve heard of twins being inseparable before, but this takes it to new levels.
A hat-tip to CASEY-SOUTH MELBOURNE all-rounder and reigning Jack Ryder medallist Clive Rose who made his first class VICTORIAN BUSHRANGERS debut last week against QUEENSLAND. Taking 3/52 in the first innings, Rose also made an invaluable 21 to push the Bushrangers’ total to 536 and set up the eight-wicket win. Hopefully he gets a few more chances in weeks to come.
TOORADIN got among the runs on the weekend – cashing in three centuries. Justin Hinkley (151 retired hurt) and Ben Mantel (119) were the prime movers – knocking in a 200-run partnership to go with Aaron Avery’s Premier 123 last weekend.
It was big partnership week in the WGCA, with PAKENHAM C Grade pair Steven Dillon (132 not out) and Cheyne Pettit (102 not out) putting together an unbeaten 247-run stand against EMERALD. You have to feel for Lions opener Graham McCraw, the only wicket in Pakenham’s 1/251, who was out for 1. The partnership was mercifully brought to an end when Pettit reached his second WGCA century – his second in as many rounds. Pettit has the notable achievement of not being dismissed throughout February – with his 109 not out last round against CATANI showing he wouldn’t give away his wicket cheaply this month. Since returning to the C Grade side from Sub-District, Pettit is the average-less man, with 211 runs aggregate, but will get a chance to get an average with PAKENHAM through to the finals in C Grade.
What are the odds of two bowlers taking six-wicket hauls for identical runs on the same day in the same match? Strangely enough, HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS tweaker Paul Stockdale and PARKFIELD all-rounder Steve Spoljaric achieved this unusual double. Both bowlers skittled 6/31 on Saturday as the Cobras fell for 92 at Dunblane Reserve before the Bears lost on the first innings, making 87.
