Sport
6 March, 2025
Pickles skittles Redbacks’ attack
AT 1-85, with veteran Phil Scholes batting beautifully, Arnold’s hopes of reaching the Upper Loddon senior cricket grand final were soaring. Cameron Dale was in form at the other end, stroking his way to 16 off 22 balls, and despite Kingower’s...
AT 1-85, with veteran Phil Scholes batting beautifully, Arnold’s hopes of reaching the Upper Loddon senior cricket grand final were soaring.
Cameron Dale was in form at the other end, stroking his way to 16 off 22 balls, and despite Kingower’s powerful attack and some exceptional fielding, a substantial Redbacks score looked on the cards.
Then, to his visible annoyance, Dale was given out LBW to Gower skipper Jayden Leach.
Incoming batsman Campbell Hancock survived a huge LBW shout first ball and settled in with Scholes.
However, as has happened numerous times this season, the introduction of spinner Blake Pickles to the attack for Kingower brought instant results.
He had Hancock caught by Lachlan Dejong, and then, immediately after a drinks break, saw Scholes well caught at mid-wicket by Matt Rowe.
Arnold’s innings went from flowing smoothly to a dreadful stuttering, with the last seven wickets falling for 45 runs, including a dire collapse of 4-6 after reaching 5-132.
Pickles took 3-15 from six overs, while Ben Rose’s left-arm medium pace brought him 3-32.
The Redbacks’ total of 152 was unlikely to be enough against the potent Kingower batting lineup, but in-form openers Rowe and Will Deason were out early, reducing the Gower to 2-21.
Enter captain Leach and vice-captain Kyle Simpson.
Less than 20 overs later, Kingower was into next Saturday’s grand final as the leadership duo smashed their way to an unbeaten 135-run partnership.
Leach hit 65 off 63 balls, but Simpson went berserk, finishing on 75 not out from 50 balls.
All of the Redback bowlers were put to the sword, with Michael and Cameron Dale each taking an early wicket but leaking runs.