Birdy catches three in a row in T20

Premier Grade Cricket

Round 4 2020-21 + T20 Rounds 4+%

First Grade

Whilst farmers would have enjoyed performing a rain dance on the weekend the Bankstown Sports Club match against Penrith proved a frustrating washout. The Panthers won the toss and with one eye on the gathering storm clouds elected to take the field. The Bulldogs did not start too well with the loss of both openers but Mitchell Hinds stemmed the tide with a defiant 48. The classic stroke maker pounded 5 forcefully struck boundaries and a spectacular six which got the Bulldogs barking vociferously. Stylish Jake Cormack compiled a hard fought 47 and his stunning 2 sixes delighted the crowd. His hour at the crease proved productive as he stalked the Panthers. Versatile Nathan McAndrew once again prevailed and his 39 kept the scoreboard ticking over whilst ultra-consistent Daniel Nicotra added a fighting 32 batting with the aplomb of a veteran. The Doggies finished with 7-232 after the 50 overs. In reply Penrith we’re providing sterling opposition with 1-53 from 13 overs but a steady downpour ensued and the game was drawn. Brad Simpson was a menacing threat to the home side and slipped a rocket through opener Tyran Liddiard whose castle was comprehensively toppled over. Then the deluge started which was disappointing as the match was at an interesting stage and could have gone either way.

Next Saturday the Bulldogs take a trip to Manly for a one day fixture.

Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup

Bankstown hosted a double header at Memorial on Sunday taking on Wester Suburbs and then Hawkesbury.

In the Round 4 game Bankstown won the toss and put Wests in to bat. Unfortunately the rain came tumbling down with the Magpies 3-80 after 13 overs resulting in a drawn encounter. Nathan McAndrew had 1-4 off two menacing overs with Ben Le Bas 1-10 off 3 accurate overs and paceman Liam Marshall proving difficult with 1-14 off 3.

Round 5 got under way once the rain stopped and the Bulldogs sent Hawkesbury into bat and dismissed the visitors inside 20 overs for 85. It was wonderful to see NSW Blues paceman Aaron Bird fly into the Hawkesbury Hawks taking 3-6. Bird claimed a rare feat in T20 cricket as bowlers have only four overs to claim wickets. Bird had taken the wicket of Moore on the last ball of his first over. Then he was just too sharp for the tail-enders in his second over, as he claimed Shinwari LBW then next ball had Kerkhah caught to achieve an amazing hat trick.

A Liam Marshall secured run out got the Bulldogs barking vociferously early. Speedsters Nathan McAndrew and Marshall caused havoc at the top of the order as the Hawks took flight. Marshall claimed 2-15 and McAndrew 2-20 as the Hawkes plummeted to earth. Then it was the irrepressible Bird who polished off the visitors in a diabolical spell. Bankstown has quite a few promising young speedsters and Bird is mentoring them in the art of bowling quickly and developing subtle changes of pace. It was that man Nick Carruthers who soon put paid to Hawkesbury racing to 69 not out with nine boundaries and three maximums one of which soared high over the mid wicket fence. His square cutting and flowing cover drives really rocketed to the fence and the Doggies were home with 1-86 off just inside 10 overs.

Second grade

At Bankstown Oval the game was also washed out and once again it was an interesting clash. Captain Tony Clark won the toss and invited Penrith to bat first and after the weather shortened the number of overs to 38 Penrith hit out boldly in compiling 6-149. Ryan Clark was once again right on target and his 4-26 came from 8 very well directed overs. He slowed down the run rate which kept the Doggies barking and was full of enthusiasm. Dayne Heward’s lively pace gave very little away and his 2-30 from 7 overs kept Bankstown on the attack. In reply the home side were in trouble at 3-37 with Ryan Clark 9 not out and Joel Brockley the anchor man with a defiant 21 not out the best of the Bulldogs batsmen. ‘Brocks’ was in complete command and stalked the Panthers ruthlessly.

Third Grade

The thirds tumbled to defeat at Cook Park due to a dismal batting performance against the Penrith Panthers. Bankstown’s Niran Wijewardene was head and shoulders above the rest of the batsmen as wickets tumbled around him. Niran was stumped in a vain attempt to clap on the pace.It was a valiant effort as he tried get the Bulldogs barking against all the odds. Ethan Prideaux was the only other willow wielder to trouble the home side and he cruised to 18 before he hit a return catch which the bowler gleefully accepted. Hostile paceman Blake Pearson fired down a defiant spell in reply. He hurtled down 10 very lively overs and his 2-20 was a just reward for his accuracy and pace. Probing Zain Ali proved troublesome and was right on target with 2-22 from 8 impressive overs. However the Panthers were always in charge and took the points with 6-109 from 37 overs.

Fourth Grade

Fourths score an emphatic win over Penrith at Kelso Park North last Saturday. The Panthers capitulated for 113 after being asked to bat first. James Cheetham proved the Bulldogs destroyer from 5 incisive overs he rattled the stumps of two early batsmen and then had number 4 beautifully caught by a jubilant captain Jehan Bilimoria to have 3-21. Daniel Slane was equally on the spot and claimed 2-13 from 7 persistent overs. Hayden Barrett proved very supportive with 2-10 from his 4 enthusiastic overs. In reply Bankstown posted 1-90 when the rains came. They were declared winners on run rate which was well deserved as they were clearly the better side. Arnav Raina took the batting honours with a superb 41 not out cutting and driving attractively and looks a red hot talent.

Fifth grade

The fifths batted first and finished with 7-196 off their full 50 overs. Charlie Fitzjohn was the best of the Bulldog bowlers with 3-45 from his 10 over spell whilst Bailey Penna was in lively form with 2-39 from 9 accurate overs. The Bulldogs replied with 4-43 off 19.4 overs when play was washed out and the result was declared a win to the Panthers on superior run rate.