Few blokes that have enjoyed a Darwin season played in the just completed inaugural Max60 comp in the Cayman Island, Cam Hemp (Tracy Village Cricket Club), Josh Kann (Southern Districts Cricket Club), Matt Calder (The Darwin Cricket Club) MOM in final Josh Brown (@nightclif Cricket Clu)and Jack Wood (Waratah Warriors Cricket Club). But the guy doing the pitch, the Jacque Kallis of Darwin and District Cricket Competition who ran the show.
Short hits another boundary
Short and Weatherald go Bang!
Inspiring stuff in the opening match of the Top End T20 Cup at Marrara Cricket Ground to watch Palmerston Cricket Club's D’Arcy Short dispatch his WA teammates all over the park along with The Darwin Cricket Club's Jake Weatherald, both back in the Territory colours dominating the Perth Scorchers attack. Bowling first the NT XI could have been chasing a larger total but a strong spin contingent led by Hamish Martin kept the Scorchers to under 160. His 2 for 17 off four overs with 11 dots crucial to keeping the lid on, particularly in the death overs (18th and 20th) conceding only 11 runs. Also pleasing to see was Charlie Smith hit some great areas and produce several particularly good shouts, claiming 1 for 12 off his 2. Matt Hammond the next best of the locals with 2 for 43 off 4, taking on a big roll in the power play overs. Menzies only with the single over that leaked a whole run to open the game up, hopefully no injury issues there.
Set 153 for victory, Short and Weatherald were cautious in the first over before Short hit two cracking drives off Jackson in the second. A yorker length square drive that raced to the fence followed by a stand & deliver cover drive on the up, signalling what was to come. Short unintentionally hogged the strike from there, bringing up his 50 in 22 balls. That over in particular from Declan Power saw a boundary off every ball (five fours and a six) in formidable display of hitting that saw reverse sweeps for fun, then clearing the rope off the final ball. Meanwhile Weatherald sat with 3 from 7 balls but got his chance in the following over to extend the arms, Joshua Vernon conceding 25 off his first. The 100-run partnership coming up in 7.3 overs.
Short out for 84 off 34 (11 fours, 5 sixes with two of them landing on the 13th Fairway) in the ninth over, Weatherald the following over for 29 off 21. The Scorchers thought the side might have been wobbling with a three quick dismissals but skipper Jaco
Garner Caught Keeper with Short Leg Assist
**Round 5 (12) Two Day Report**
**Darwin 5 for 347 (Rossi 56, Jamieson 58, Kerber 112) defeated PINT 256 (Scott 60, Chowna 65, Pilkington 3/54, Deshpande 3/101)**
After day one, the Eagles were in a commanding position against PINT, thanks to Kerber's 112 in the middle order, which rounded out the good work put in early by the top four. With all batsmen getting starts, it was exactly what they needed, particularly runs from skipper Kerber, whose season hadn’t quite got going. The PINT bowlers toiled, with the Eagles kept in check by the main break at 1 for 104 after 38 overs. PINT looked like they might get a run on with two quick dismissals—Deshpande playing across the line and then Rossi caught down the leg side with the score on 109. However, Jamieson and Kerber had other ideas as they stacked on 145 for the fourth wicket, with PINT ruing a tough chance that went down before Kerber was set. With wickets in hand, the Eagles were able to pile on the runs in the last 30 overs to set their best effort of the season with 357.
In response, PINT applied a similar principle, aiming to have as many wickets in hand as possible at the main break, and they achieved that, reaching none for 98 on the board. Post-tea, they attempted to up the run rate, but Chowna, who had made 60, pulled straight to square leg off Pilkington for a first-wicket partnership of 123. Fifteen runs later, Pilkington was in the action again, drawing a leading edge from Scott, and was on a hat-trick with Edmondstone pushing at a length ball to be caught behind. At 3 for 138, they were virtually on par with Darwin’s innings, but with a brittle lower order, it was unlikely to hold. The Eagles were able to ensure the run rate kept climbing while consistently taking wickets, keeping themselves in the hunt for September.
**Nightcliff 9 for 231 (Hoogenboezem 82, Ball 44, Fernando 3/34, M. Weerasinghe 4/59) defeated Waratah 228 (Jain 87, McCormick 53, Siegelwin 43, Carroll 4/46, Hatton 3/40)**
The
NZ recruit for Palmerston, Caleb Montague has a quick chat.
Two Day Round 2 Preview
Big thanks to last weekend's centurion Caleb Montague for the chat.
The Darwin Cricket Club v Tracy Village Cricket Club @ Kahlin Oval
The Eagles will be looking to dominate Tracy Village who have struggled besides Tiwary. Most teams will be pushing hard for an outright win and they’ve made sure to get new quick recruit Max Birthisel on a red eye for it. Along with the return of Dickman, they may have enough there to get the job done. Village skipper Doyle and Tiwary will need to dig deep as TV have added Casey South Melbourne youngster Lenny Wilton to their list.
Eagles to get the max points.
Palmerston v Nightcliff @ Cazaly’s Oval
Connor Carroll exits the Tigersafter they were bundled out of the T20 finals, original scheduled in for the first week, left arm fast man Coen McKinnon jumps into the team along with WA Midland Guilford bat Jordan “here to bat on” Roads. With Doherty and Singh also finishing up, Palmerston will believe themselves to be a big sniff they can knock of Hoogenboezem or at least keep him quiet. Things are starting to click for the Palmerston crew and a win here will set their season up. If Montague has been the key bat they’ve been looking for to help build around their local middle order. McKell the only change their 1st Xi after 4 for 7 in the 2nds last weekend.
Palmerston to win.
PINT v Waratah @ Marrara Cricket Ground
Waratah will be chasing 300 figure to the match out of PINT’s reach if they bat first, however they’ll likely be comfortable with chasing around the same if the Greens were to post a total. There will surely be some nibble in the chat as Blackford comes up against his former teammates (playing for PINT in 2022), Max Parker returns for his second game and with young paceman Siegelwin returning to 1st XI duties. Adhikari is out with injury which sees the return of Wijegunarathna for PINT. Should the top order fire, it could be a serious day in the dirt but Tahs have had the rub
Hill Stumped Phillip Bowled Hatton
Post match review – B grade semi finals 2024
The Darwin Cricket Club over came Waratah Warriors Cricket Club with relative ease, who collapsed early to be 4 for 22 thanks to Magee aggression at the stumps who first spell of 3 for 15 was more than enough. There was no recovery for Tahs as they lost wickets consistently with Kumara 34 off 78 the main stay while a cameo from spinner Gange with 21 off 16 at number 9 helped get the total passed 100.
Besides the fall of Menzies early doors, the run chase was all but done with Andrews 63 and skipper Troy 35* batting with time and ease to chase 116 in just under 22 overs. Andrews a little unlucky not to be there after being called through for a brisk single. The Eagles easy victors.
Palmerston v Nightcliff was significantly closer game against the reining premiers who lost 4 for 10 in the late overs to be bowled out for 160 in the 38 when it looked 220 total on the cards. Besides a couple of run out chances the batting was generally not troubled before a couple of batting errors had Palmerston back in the game. With the skipper Singh out lbw padding up to the arm ball on the drinks break, Tigers were 4 for 100 and would still consider themselves able to reach that 200 mark. However spinner Snape who has been bowling the house down (3 for 19) and Allan (3 for 32) did the damage through the middle overs. While Osborne was able to bowl stump to stump unchallenged and pick up the last three wickets. Magnusson the best of the bats for Nighcliff with 31, with only one of the top six not making it past 10.
In response Palmerston began comfortably before Allan was caught well at 2nd slip by Foley off Hatton (2 for 26) who’s bowling is coming along nicely. Leading wicket taker Mckinnon was seen off without too much trouble as Hill and McMahon 64 built a composed second wicket partnership weathering the pace attack. 1 for 75 at drinks, the game was there for the taking and runs leaked quickly with 46 coming off the next 7
The Inaugural Josh Hoffman Medallist 2023
After the 2022 season, Darwin Cricket News & Scores reaffirmed its commitment to the game both on and off the field for the 2024 Darwin and District Cricket Season. Named after the Second Innings Don Bradman, often referred to as the Jacques Kallis of the competition, the circuit captain, the life of the party, and an all-around asset, this award celebrates the individual who brings players together both on and off the field. This includes moments at Mitchell Street, the Infinity Pool, and karaoke on Monday nights. It is a tribute to his stories of past season heroics, such as hitting J Flynn over the TV club rooms.
Putting all that aside, the 2023 Josh Hoffman Medallist is Southern Districts' Josh Kann. Kann earned this recognition by scoring 421 runs at an average of 32, taking 7 wickets at 38, winning a 1st XI Premiership, and contributing significantly to community service. He was always willing to stay back for extra practice and created a supportive environment for his teammates. On the social circuit, Kann was a notable presence, ensuring new recruits felt welcome, dancing at events, and occasionally staying out late, but never missing a cricket game or calling in sick to work. Congratulations, Josh.
For his efforts, Kann received a bit of The Perfect Pitch kit along with a $200 bar tab to be used at Southern Districts Cricket Club (if someone from the club could get in touch for the transfer details).
*DCNS and The Perfect Pitch do not endorse or encourage the use of vapes and/or vaping. All views and opinions shared in this video are solely those of the individuals featured.
Great Anticipation
Rd 1 Round Up
Southern Districts 142 defeated by PINT 5 for 143
A tough first start for the Crocs as all five senior sides lost their opening matches on Saturday while PINT who played the Crocs in their three senior sides (C grade had a bye) had strong wins. Coby Edmondstone ripping out their middle order with 4 for 23 and a composed 38 opening the batting. Key moments being wicket keeper Connor Poulton with a fine caught behind and stumping off Edmondstone along with a big catch by Bembrick which saw the Districts lose 4 for 15 in the middle overs.
Chris McEvoy was the best of the bowlers in response with 3 for 17 but the Greens were able to consolidate at a precarious 4 for 62. Losing only one more wicket with Prasanna Ketheeshwaran pacing himself with 38* and Vishwas Saini 17*.
Darwin 156 defeated by Nightcliff 270
Runners up Darwin senior sides also had a rough start with one out of four Saturday sides winning, while Nightcliff picked up three wins from five (albeit the D grade fixture was against themselves). Disappointingly with the A grade fixture fireworks not being viewable at the start of the fixture with frogbox being down. Connor Carroll 90 (75) and Douwtjie Hoogenboezem 75 (82) blasting 157 in 23 overs. James Doherty the other stand out with 49 as the Eagles did well to restrict the Tigers to 270. Pilkington with 3 for 61 off his 10. Darwin in response struggled to get going with Dickman looking the best of the bunch with 38 and opening stand of 54 before the Nightcliff local bowling contingent got into action. Charlie Smith 4 for 32 and a great anticipation catch off his bowling by Hoogenboezem to dismiss Kerber for a duck, running around from first slip to pluck a little lap shot. The Tigers were on in the field with two run outs.
Palmerston 194 defeated by Waratah 214
Palmerston weren’t able to chase a competitive total from Tahs, with both sides’ innings littered with starts but Tahs skipper Koduru 80 being the pivotal knock that saw them to
Troy Ryan with the old classic to start a Dingley batsman's new year off well. Currently leading the wickets in Division 1 of Cricket Southern Bayside with Murrumbeena CC, he has 24 at 7.
Highly recommend checking out Palmerston Cricket Club's Cadell McMahon work behind the stumps. Six dismissals day one, three day two.
