An unbelievable effort with the ball from Cavaliers’ spinner Mitch Black inspired Orange’s easy win over Lithgow on Sunday, the victory maintaining the Bluebaggers’ unbeaten start to this summer’s Mitchell Cricket Council President’s Cup.
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After a number of Bluebaggers chipped in to help the side post 8-247 from their 50 overs Black ran riot at Lithgow’s Tony Luchetti Sportsground, coming on at first change and spinning his way to stunning figures of 8-19 from seven overs.
His effort combined with wickets for Cam Rasmussen (1-19) and Angus Cumming (1-19) was enough for Orange to skittle the hosts in just 25 overs, for 105.
After skipper Daryl Kennewell won the toss and batted on Sunday Ryan Kurtz (22) and Kaleb Cooke (28) kicked off Orange’s dig well, adding 46 for the first wicket before the latter fell.
Jack Dodds (2) and Kurtz both fell reasonably quickly to leave the Bluebaggers 3-76, but Lachie Coyte (28), Bailey Ferguson (31), Max Powell (23), Gus Cumming (39) and Jackson Coote (28 not out) all chipped through the middle and lower order to push their side to almost 250.
Joel Gurney (3-47) was the best of Lithgow’s bowlers and despite batting at three he had to wait a little while before coming to the crease in the chase, Ben Sheehan (37) and Sam Cameron (15) negotiated Coote and Kennewell well to put on an opening stand of 54.
Then Black came into the attack.
He promptly bowled Sheehan and Gurney (0), caught Cameron off his own bowling and then lured Hayden Wren (0) into a false too, Lithgow slumping to 4-65 as a result.
The hosts never recovered, with Black going on to dismiss Andrew Fawbert (9), Brock Barry (0), Aron Crowder (6) and Isaiah Wren (0) in his epic, eight-wicket haul as well.
The victory leaves Orange in a commanding position at the top of the President’s Cup standings and with just one game left against Bathurst on February 3, which doubles as a Western Zone Premier League fixture, the Bluebaggers are in the box seat to claim a spot in the decider that month.
Although, the Blue Mountains’ stunning upset win of Bathurst on Sunday afternoon keeps the Cattle Dogs firmly in the hunt as well.
Although Jaden Ekert hammered 80 for Bathurst at The Scot’s School his side was rolled for 143 in just 31 overs and the Cattle Dogs squeaked home by a solitary wicket, thanks to a gutsy last-wicket stand.
Number 10 bat Reece Boothroyd (38 not out) was joined at the crease by number 11 Jack Bragg (3 not out) with their side 9-116 in reply.
The pair stayed together though, adding the necessary 28 to secure a thrilling win.
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
