2008-09 - University of New South Wales Cricket Club

UNSW Cricket Club Annual ReportSixth Grade ReportSIXTH GRADE REPORTThe team’s failure to reach the finals was disappointing and considering the gallant effort throughoutthe season it was at times frustrating. Failure, though, should be judged on the process and not merelythe final outcome. Throughout the season the team learned from the previous week and by the end ofthe season there was a real collective bond amongst the players with everyone enjoying each otherssuccess.Similarly to last season, the clubs performances meant there were new faces in the team every week.Unlike last season however, there was no shortage of players to choose from with a large talent poolforced to sit on the bench. This wasn’t without its problems as the new captain was left with theimpossible task of letting players know that they hadn’t been selected in any team.Despite the loss against Blacktown in the opening game of the season, there were a number of promisingperformances. Amalesh Sukumar deputised as captain and lead from the front with 3‐51 followed by42 as UNSW fell just short chasing 224 for victory off their allotted 50 overs. Ravin Hettiarachchi alsogave an early indication of things to come debuting for the club with 3‐44 and 52*.A washout and a heavy defeat preceded one of the more memorable performances in UNSW 6th gradehistory. The stage was set, round 4 against arch rivals Sydney University away from home. On thefield, the team failed to capitalise on an unpredictable pitch as Sydney University managed to post aseemingly formidable score of 283. Amalesh with 6‐78 was again the standout with the ball picking uphis season best bowling figures. Not to be outdone UNSW set about chasing the total with positiveintent. A moment of inspired captaincy or sheer luck prompted the team to open the batting withRobert Dooley in his first appearance for the season. Robert responded with 37 runs in a 104 runopening stand with Naser Saleh. Naser went on to post an emotional 66 runs in his first career halfcentury. It was enough to inspire Luke Williams and Naeef Mostafa to play Bevanesque innings asthey carried the team to a courageous and memorable victory in fading light in the last over.Unfortunately the team did not manage to carry this momentum forward into the next few rounds. Acouple of defeats followed with some abject fielding and batting to blame notwithstanding half centuriesby Tom Atallah and Julian Mark in this period. Round 7 marked the return to form for the team. Afterday 1 was washed out in the two day match against UTS Balmain Gold, 120 overs were allotted to bebowled in the second day. UNSW rollicked along to 6‐270 declared in 60 overs with Amalesh (62) andRavin (56) again amongst the runs in a season record 143 run partnership. Eriq Parsons, JackMcAnespie and Ravin Hettiarachchi then went on to take 9 of the 10 wickets as UTS Balmain Gold wasbowled out for 167.A number of notable performances followed soon after. English import Alastair Lewis posted his firsthalf century with a run‐a‐ball knock on route to a comprehensive victory against UTS Balmain Black.Tom Jagot, who turned 13 halfway through the season, showed maturity and cricket ability well beyondhis years. This was most notable during his all‐round performance against Western Suburbs in which hetook 5‐40 with his leggies and followed it up by scoring 57* with the bat. There is no doubt the club hasunearthed a serious talent for the future. Ravin Hettiarachchi, en‐route to becoming the clubs leadingwicket taker, picked up 8wickets in a match in which UNSW came within a dropped catch on a hat‐trickball from stealing an unlikely outright victory against UTS‐Balmain Black. He then followed this upwith 5‐20 in a comprehensive victory against local rivals Randwick‐Petersham.Special mentions should also go to Lachlan Taylor who leant his vast experience to a young team andled from the front with the new ball. Stijn Allema, our Dutch import, came late in the season butperformed admirably. His talent was befitting the higher grades but was nevertheless alwaysappreciative of being given an opportunity to play. Stijn is a real team player and he will be welcomeback to the club whenever he chooses to return. Paul Serov was finally given an opportunity to impress,turning back the years with a successful return in the two matches he played. Ben Whitton keptSeason 2008/2009 Page 63