Some strategic recruiting by Lakes Entrance over the off season has paid immediate dividends with the club’s new recruits to the fore in its round one Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade victory over Lucknow at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
English additions Josh Sackfield and Jack Timms, Northern Irish import Sam Kincaid and local recruits Phani Kumar and Harish Kumar-Sunke all made solid contributions to the victory in a tight match, which unravelled late in the favour of the Seagulls.
The Seagulls went into the match without key players Kaleb Day, Liam Allen and co-captain Jake Le Maitre, whose inclusions will bolster the side in the coming weeks.
Sent into bat on a slow wicket offering something for the bowlers, Lakes Entrance was dismissed in the 39th over for a respectable 128.
The general consensus on the day was around 140-150 would have been par for the side batting first, so the Seagulls still had some work to do.
Although scoring wasn’t easy, the Lakes Entrance batsmen were prepared to work hard, although numerous did get out when they appeared set to blossom.
At 4/63 with Ben John, Josh Sackfield, Ryan Hooper and Daniel Bryant back in the pavilion, the match was swung back in the direction of the Magpies but a useful 32-run unison between, Timms (38) and Kumar (21) saw the Seagulls regain some ascendancy.
Another handy partnership between Mick Poynton (13) and Kumar-Sunke (13) looked set to see the Seagulls achieve a score in the par range, but a late order collapse which saw them lose three wickets for the addition of a solitary run ended hopes of that.
The major wicket takers for the Magpies were Matt Corbett (3/20) and young Taj Corben (3/22), who continues to impress with his pace and ability.
Lucknow was well-placed in the chase at 4/72, but capitulated to be all out for 89 in the 28th over.
Only top order players Corbett (13), Myles Danaher (18) and skipper Jarryd Floyd (17) reached double figures, with the difference between the two sides eventually being Timms’ well compiled 38 from 89 balls and a brilliant spell from left arm spinner Kincaid.
With little seam bowlers in their attack, the Seagulls were forced to open up with spinners Brett Boyd and Josh Sackfield (2/16).
Medium pacer Bobby Sproule added some variety to the attack before he was sensational removed by the umpires after delivering two waist-high no balls.
That saw the introduction of northern hemisphere duo of Timms (2/17) and Kincaid (4/10), who bowled in tandem, cleaning up the Lucknow tail inside 12 overs.
Kincaid’s left arm orthodox was particularly menacing and he looks set for a big season in the land down under.
Co-captain John was delighted to get off to a good start with plenty of improvement left in his team.
“It’s great to get the points first up, we have always struggled against Lucknow for one reason or another,” he said.
“We still have a way to go and weren’t at full strength, but opening with a victory, you will take that everyday of the week.”
