3rd XI Finals Round 1 - Report

3^RD XI Elimination Final FDCC 231 & 0/71 def ECC 172

It was a disappointing end to what has been a great season for the young 3^rd XI going down in a seesawing final at Schramms Reserve #2 at the weekend.

Winning the toss and bowling the 3rds started well with an early wicket to Muhammad Abdul Wasay. A second wicket to Wasay had the Bombers with the upper hand with the score at 2/55. From here it was a even days cricket with the runs flowing from the Fitzroy batting line up but wickets coming regularly to the Bomber’s bowlers. All rounder Jess Badhaan was dangerous snaring two wickets but it was off spinner Jacob Pawlowicz who miraculously recovered from illness that had kept him off work for the weekend who stared. Pawlowicz showed his skill and experience to take 5/45 from 20 overs to put the Bombers in a strong position, bowling Fitzroy out for 231 in 60 overs just before an early tea was called.

Jacob Pawlowicz Sends One Down

With 33 overs to bat in the last session of the day the Bombers lost Vansh Sandhu early and then the experienced Sean Phillips Williams to be 2/36. The 3^rd wicket partnership of Badhaan and opener Zac Beniwal righted the ship, the pair putting 61 to see the score at 2/97 just before stumps and the Bombers looking to be a in a strong position. Alas though as can happen in finals cricket momentum swung like a Noman Safder in swinging yorker (that is late) and the loss of Badhaan who had batted well for 44 and then new batsmen Heath Doherty on the stroke off stumps halted the Bombers charge the score 4/97 at stumps.

Resuming on Sunday morning confidence was high with Beniwal resuming on 42 and new batsmen young gun Samin Shafquat coming off strong recent form including a century and half century in the 4^th XI. It wasn’t to be for the Bombers, some good bowling from the Lions saw wickets tumble and the Bombers reduced to 9/134. A rearguard partnership of 38 from the last wicket pair gave of Pawlowicz and Cornish gave the Bombers a flicker of hope however it was extinguished as the boys were bowled out for 172.

Having lost on 1^st innings the Bombers set out for early wickets in an attempt at a reverse outright however some strong batting from the Lions saw them to 0/71 and the two teams shook hands. It was a disappointing end to what had been a strong season for the young 3^rd XI however the pain of a finals loss will burn fiercely and be harnessed going into a new season next year.