Dogs set new record to stand strong / PGs win
Premier Grade Cricket Publicity Report
Round Three Week One 2019/20
19th October 2019
A magnificent century from all-rounder Nathan McAndrew ensured the Bankstown Sports Bulldogs were in a solid position at 9/295 against Northern District at Mark Taylor Oval.
After winning the toss Bulldogs skipper Daniel Solway elected to bat but the visitors were unable to take full advantage of the conditions slumping to 3/52 with Solway (11), Nick Carruthers (7) and Jake Fawcett (7) back in the sheds. Peter Dignam rode out this difficult period, but when adjudged LBW for a patient 21 off 126 deliveries, the visitors were in trouble at 4/77 and needing someone to stand up and rescue the innings.
Enter Nathan McAndrew and Ben Taylor who produced a record breaking 5th wicket partnership of 189 to take the Bulldogs to 5/266 before McAndrew became the second of Tom Felton’s LBW victims, dismissed for a magnificent 109 off 153 balls including 16 fours.
McAndrew and Taylor now hold the Club’s First Grade 5th Wicket Partnership Record surpassing the score of 177 set by in 2015 against Blacktown by Philip Wells and Michael Stretton.
McAndrew was recently selected for the NSW Marsh Cup Limited Overs side and just last week was re-contracted as a member of the Sydney Thunder 2019/20 Big Bash squad. It’s testimony to his character that this committed Bulldog works just as hard for his grade club as he does at representative level. Equally impressive was 21-year-old Ben Taylor’s innings of 90 off 180 balls including 10 fours and three sixes. Taylor, who hails from the ACT, is in his third season with the Dogs and is a very popular Clubman. Good judges have long rated Taylor as an outstanding prospect, highlighted by his selection for the Prime Minister’s XI side in 2015 while still a Year 11 student. His classy effort under pressure on Saturday suggests he has the potential to play representative levels as an all-rounder, not just a left arm orthodox spinner.
Endeavouring to push the scoring rate along the Bulldogs lost Jarred Lysaught (4) Ben Le Bas (0) and 1st grade debutant wicket-keeper Cameron Middleton (2) cheaply leaving young pace duo Liam Marshall (1) and Brad Simpson (2) not out at stumps. The Bulldogs will be hoping the Marshall and Simpson can weave some magic will the ball in hand next Saturday!
Poidevin Gray T20 Sunday 20th October 2019
After winning the toss Bankstown sent the opposition in to bat and Western Suburbs compiled a healthy 8/201 off their 60 overs in the Round 2 Poidevin Gray Shield Under 21 match at Pratten Park.
Bulldog paceman Dayne Heward was a standout with the ball snaring 3/27 off his 10 overs. Brad Simpson worked tirelessly with the new ball, returning the fine figures of 2/31, especially impressive as he bowled at the get go with fielding restrictions in play. Justin Felsch grabbed 2/66 while Ryan Clark was very economical, returning 0/27 from his 10 over spell to put a stop on the Magpies’ progress in the middle overs.
The Bulldogs run chase was a bit wobbly early with skipper Peter Dignam and his opening partner Cam Cotter out for 5 and 9 respectively but a quickfire 35 from Zeeshaan Ahmed took the score to 3/65 with Mansukh Singh playing a terrific anchor role. When Cameron Middleton joined Singh, the match turned decisively in the Bulldogs favour as he smashed 65 from 51 balls, a strike rate of 122. Middleton was inducted with First Grade Cap Number 298 on Saturday joining the star-studded list of players to represent Bankstown in the top grade since 1952. This confident innings further highlights his potential to develop as a keeper-batsman. Singh was very solid with 38 off 64 balls while Matt Simpson continued his successful return to grade cricket with 43 off 35 balls as the Bulldogs reached 5/202 to remain undefeated after two rounds.