Round Two - Day 1 Match Reports

1ST XI ESSENDON 8-355

Travelling up the highway to play Greenvale away from home, the Bombers were sent in after losing the toss. Looking to bounce back from last week, it wasn’t quite the start the firsts were hoping for – losing Vihanga Fernando in just the second over. With work to do opener Muhammad Arsalan (150 off 248) knuckled down with Harry Duke for a solid period, before Duke was dismissed for 17. Unfortunately, this narrative continued and soon enough the Bombers found themselves in strife at 5/66.

With wickets tumbling around him, the classy Arsalan was in desperate need of someone to go with him. Cometh the moment, cometh the man. Leg spinner (now all-rounder) Jarrod Parsons (95 off 193) strode out to the middle and with class and discipline, he and Arsalan put together a sixth wicket 214-run stand – breaking the previous club record of 211 held since 1937-38. Along with handy back-end cameos from Harvinder Singh (32 off 40) and Jackson Martin (36 off 42), the pair boosted the firsts to 8-355 at stumps.

Jarrod Parsons (95) and Arsalan Shah (150) put together a sixth wicket 214-run stand – breaking the previous club record of 211 held since 1937-38

A fantastic knock from Muhammad Arsalan – 150 off 248, with 19 fours and one six. The Bomber’s bowlers will be looking for 10 Greenvale wickets next week to register the first win of the season.

2ND XI GREENVALE 286 & ESSENDON 0-16

Playing one oval down from the first XI, the Kangaroos won the toss and elected to bat on what seemed like a flat wicket. Coming out firing, the home side looked to attack early and attack they did. That was until Lachie Armani Busk (2/60 off 17.5) took the first of the day, aided by a fantastic moving catch in the corden by Nick Markovski. This started proceedings for the Bombers and it wasn’t long until recently promoted quick Arin Mishra taking back-to-back identical wickets – the debutant finishing with 2/40 off 11 overs. Back into the side, Henry Robertson also made his mark in due time – claiming a classy 2/18 off his 10 overs. Off spinner Arshit Rajput was the pick of the spinners, cleaning up the tail and boasting a handy 3/22 off his 10. A complete team bowling innings from the Bombers, rolling Greenvale for 286.

Lachie Busk about to send one down

The opening pair of Salvado and Markovski navigated a tricky 3 over spell before stumps. The 2nds go into week two 0-16 requiring 271 to win.

3RD XI ESSENDON 8-265

Facing Greenvale away from home, it was a rare opportunity for the thirds playing on a brand-new deck. Winning toss, captain Paramvir Singh opted to have the first hit on the fresh wicket. With the pitch playing not as easy as it appeared, openers Sean Phillips-Williams and Zac Beniwal (38 off 130) did the hard yards for the first 15 overs with a run out ending their stance. After losing the first, Jess Badhaan (26 off 59) chipped in with a solid start, before coming unstuck following the lunch break.

In at four, youngster Vansh Sandhu was wasting no time with a quick-fire 43 off 65, before he was dismissed. Needing someone to step up, left hander Heath Doherty was the aggressor for the Bombers. He smashed well-made 81 off 110 to ensure the thirds posted a defendable total. At the close of play, Essendon held a solid position at 8-265.

4TH XI GREENVALE 371

Sending the away side into bat at Cross Keys, the Bombers made early inroads with the new ball. Zorowar Chohan (1/28 off 8) grabbed the opener, with crafty Sheik of Tweak Aaron Cornish (3/82 off 25) not far behind. Young tear away Abdul Wasay (2/55 off 14) and leg spinner Krishna Chandak (3/88 off 13.5) both snared back-to-back wickets to put the Bombers well and truly on top.

However, despite things looking good for the Bombers with Greenvale 7-119 the back half of the day belonged to them. The fourths bowling the Kangaroos out for 371. The Bombers will be looking for a strong batting performance on day two, an exciting run chase ahead.