By Nick Creely and Lance Jenkinson
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 7
Oh brother, that is some way for Dandenong to return to the winners list in the Victorian Premier Cricket.
The Forsyth brothers, Brett and Cameron, were instrumental in the Panthers’ scintillating seven-wicket victory over Footscray away at Merv Hughes Oval on Saturday.
Older brother Brett, the batting maestro with over 8000 runs to his name, raised the bat for a century as the Panthers chased down the Bulldogs total of 8/236 with 10 balls of the 50-over match to spare.
Brett’s masterclass lasted the whole duration of the Panthers innings, as he amassed 124 off 144 balls, including 12 fours, in 189 minutes.
It was the 2018/19 Ryder Medal winner’s 18th Premier Cricket century in his stellar career, and his third against the Dogs.
Cameron, who featured in a 131-run third wicket partnership with his big brother, certainly played his part, carving out 59 off 80 balls, including three fours in 97 minutes.
The Forsyth show was a sight to behold.
It was not only the Forsyth’s playing their part.
Panthers captain Tom Donnell provided valuable support in a 70-run opening stand with Brett.
Donnell made the most of his strike with 25 off 34 balls.
And, there was still work to be done when James Nanopoulos arrived at the crease with the Panthers requiring a further 25 runs.
Nanopoulos was there at the end, finishing on 11 not out off 13 balls.
Earlier in the day, Footscray produced what it must have felt was a competitive total, thanks largely to in-form young gun Dylan Brasher, who made 104 off 137 balls.
The Bulldogs produced runs at a consistent rate, but two Dandenong bowlers got under their skin.
New ball operator Adam McMaster stepped up to the first XI after a dominant run of games in the seconds and maintained his rage on the batsmen.
McMaster finished with a game-best 4/36 off eight overs, including the prized scalps of Bulldogs stars Dean Russ and Travis Dean cheaply.
Dasun Opanayaka was the other dominant Panther with the ball, taking 2/34 off nine overs.
Peter Cassidy was a tad expensive with 1/53, but he claimed the big scalp of Brasher.
It was a much-needed win for Dandenong, who entered the game on the back of two losses to begin the new year and with their spot in the top eight under threat.
Casey-South Melbourne, meanwhile, fell narrowly short of victory against Northcote at Casey Fields on Saturday, but pushed the Dragons to the brink.
Conditions for cricket were perfect on Saturday, and dangerous opener Solomon Mire loomed large after the Dragons won the toss and elected to bat.
Mire was in a mood in the early exchanges, racing away to 44 within the first six overs after a flurry of boundaries including two monster sixes.
The ex-Zimbabwe international batsman took a particular liking to seamer Cal Dodson, taking 23 off his first over.
But Dodson (2/54), who has been a revelation in his debut season for the Swans, fought back brilliantly, forcing Mire into a false stroke for 44, before in-form top order batsman Josh Sundberg edged through to the keeper for 15 to have the visitors 2/93.
Once again, star opener Mark Phelan was the key, patiently waiting on any loose balls and building an ominous 92-run stand with Jack Lalor (52), who pushed the ball into gaps and ran hard as the visitors looked to post a hefty total.
But a double-strike to Tillakaratne Dilshan (2/50) saw the pair back in the sheds and with it some of the visitors’ momentum, with the Sri Lankan champion bouncing back from some early tap in his first spell.
The wicket of Phelan was particularly key, with the opener reaching 77 and crossing past 400 runs for the season already.
Some late hitting from Steve Taylor (30) helped the visitors post 8/253, with Jackson Fry (2/29) getting some late reward for some terrific fast bowling, while Lachie Sperling kept things tight through the middle with his left-arm spin.
One of the most exciting opening duos in Premier Cricket, Ash Chandrasinghe and Tillakaratne Dilshan got off to a hot start for the Swans, with Dilshan in particular latching onto anything with width to race away.
It looked as if the ex-Sri Lankan champ would be the match-winner as he quickly found himself 33 off 21 balls, before experienced quick Michael Topp (2/37) found a way through to snare the first scalp.
Despite the key breakthrough, Chandrasinghe – as he has since his debut game last season – looked solid in defense and rotated the strike well, while his skipper Michael Wallace was once again in an attacking mood.
Wallace got himself to 41, an entertaining knock off 57 balls, before a stunning burst from Nick Biscontin (2/43) saw the skipper and experienced middle order bat Lachie Sperling out in consecutive deliveries.
It was, in the end, the decisive burst in the match.
Chandrasinghe crossed past another half-century, reaching 51 before Jack Lalor (1/36) prized out his wicket, and despite a typically classy hand from Dev Pollock (53), the Swans were three big hits short, finishing 8/235 from its 50 overs.
There are positives to take out of the clash for the Swans, in particular Chandrasinghe who is nearing 300 runs already for the season with three half-centuries, while seamers Jackson Fry and Cal Dodson are in good touch. Skipper Michael Wallace is also settling in beautifully at three.
Both Dandenong and Casey-South Melbourne are playing games on Tuesday (after the Gazette deadline), as clubs are fixtured for three games in seven days.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA – DISTRICT
ROUND 9
Pearcedale continue to show signs of improvement but fell to Dromana in a high-scoring affair on Saturday.
The Panthers racked up 174 from 39.2 overs after winning the toss and batting, with opener Brad Trotter (49) and Jake Roberts (37) both playing terrific knocks to guide the visitors to a strong total.
While the Panthers were unable to defend the total as the home side ran the target down with 3.2 overs left, the visitors snagged seven wickets to put a scare through the Tigers.
Josh Swainston (2/14) impressed with his accuracy for the Panthers.
VICTORIAN SUB-DISTRICT – SOUTH/EAST
ROUND 8
Noble Park has bounced back in a big way, dominating Mt Waverley at Pat Wright Senior Oval.
After a tough loss last round, the Parkers were on song – particularly with the bat – in the strong victory.
The visitors batted strongly, however, to post 6/196 from its 40 overs, indicating that the deck was well suited to the batting side.
Despite the early loss of opener Blake Hinchcliffe, the home side were merciless, running down the total in just 30.4 overs and with the loss of three wickets.
Star all-rounders Amal Athulathmudali (82 not out) and Janaka Liyanabadalge (52 not out) were the destroyers with a brutal 102-run stand to guide the Parkers to victory.
The pair crunched 13 fours and seven sixes in their clinical display.
Endeavour Hills, meanwhile, were outclassed by Croydon down at Croydon Park.
The Eagles were set 201 for victory after sending the home side in, but could only muster up 111 despite some resistance from Hemantha Jayasundera (38), who ensured his side would put some respect on the scoreboard after coming in at 5/17.
