Unbeaten Lakes Entrance’s 2024/25 Bairnsdale Cricket Association campaign continues to go from strength-to-strength, setting up a potential fourth consecutive victory after amassing 9/259 against Lucknow on day one of their round four encounter last Saturday at Hudson-Alvin Oval.
Batting first at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve, the Seagulls’ new-found batting depth was again to the fore, despite losing co-captain Ben John early for just four.
But the ability to put together partnerships, something that has been sadly missing in recent seasons, and build an innings, means last year’s scores in the 130-150 range are now being converted into above par totals.
Josh Sackfield led the away with an impressive 76, dismissed just prior to the tea break when a big score beckoned. He rode his luck early, dropped in the gully then caught on a no-ball in consecutive deliveries, but he has certainly adapted better to batting on Australian pitches in his second trip down under.
Ryan Hooper (22) looked good, getting out after most of the hard work had been done. A big score looms for the hard-working clubman.
Import Jack Timms (44) continued his consistent start to the season with another classy contribution, while Daniel Bryant (31) entertained the small crowd with several huge blows that cleared the ropes.
Phani Kumar (24) again turned the strike over in the middle order while valuable late order contributions from Kaleb Day (21) and Liam Allen (18no) lifted the Seagulls above 250.
Lucknow skipper Jarryd Floyd was the pick of their bowlers, the left arm spinner taking 7/71 from 28 well controlled and directed overs.
It did appear that a couple of the Magpies’ other bowlers may have gone into the match a little underdone.
The Seagulls will be keen for early wickets this Saturday in their quest to dismiss Lucknow cheaply. The form of Floyd would’ve brought a smile to Lakes’ key spinner Sam Kincaid’s face, who would have liked what he saw on day one of the two-day fixture.
