Cricket Shepparton vice-captain Jackson Crouch knocks one down to fine leg.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Cricket Shepparton’s future stars took to the field on Tuesday to take on some of Bendigo’s best.
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The region’s top under-14 cricketers started the match wielding the willow after winning the toss and electing to bat against Bendigo District Cricket Association at Kialla Park Reserve.
It was the second round of the Northern Rivers Junior Country Week representative competition — round one was washed out due to poor weather on Monday.
The tournament is played using a one-day format with both sides given 40 overs to bat.
Cricket Shepparton vice-captain Jackson Crouch (11 runs off 40 balls) and Zac Gale (13 off 38) opened the batting.
The pair saw off the dangers of the new ball and allowed captain Flynn Bush to come in at first drop and put the opposition to the sword.
Bush struck a true captain’s knock of 70 runs off 83 balls in an innings that included eight boundaries and one six.
Combined with the effort of the side’s other vice-captain, Will Mathers (26 off 46), Cricket Shepparton finished its 40 overs on a competitive total of 6-159.
Bendigo started its innings with a slow and measured response.
However, as each batter seemed to get comfortable at the crease Cricket Shepparton would strike and swing back momentum in its favour.
With 25 overs in the books, Bendigo was struggling on 6-94, needing another 66 runs from the remaining 90 balls to secure victory.
Bendigo fought hard to the end, but Shepparton was able to skittle the tail and secure an 18-run victory — thanks in part to five run-outs.
Four other junior Cricket Shepparton sides took to the field on Tuesday, with one female and three other male teams competing against the best players from neighbouring regions.
Cricket Shepparton’s under-17 boys defeated Wangaratta District Cricket Association by four wickets.
The under-16 boys then delivered a commanding performance against Bendigo, winning the match by 78 runs.
Meanwhile, the under-12s lost to Goulburn Murray Cricket by 37 runs.
In the under-14 girls competition, Cricket Shepparton lost to Murray Downs Diamonds by five wickets.
Round three of the Northern Rivers Junior Country Week tournament will be played on Wednesday.
The grand finals are scheduled for Thursday, with the under-14 decider set to be at Deakin Reserve.
News’ photographer Megan Fisher was set up along the boundary at Kialla Park Reserve to take snaps of the under-14 action between Cricket Shepparton and Bendigo.
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