Sport
21 February, 2025
Carisbrook set Clunes 283
Carisbrook has handed down the gauntlet to Clunes, who need to chase down a target of 283 to keep their finals chances alive.
It’s safe to say Carisbrook will be pleased with their efforts on the first day of play, hitting their highest score of the season in their final regular season game.
Their final score of 8/282 is Carisbrook’s highest score in A Grade since round 12 of the 2012/13 season when they declared against Beaufort on 3/339 nearly 4400 days ago.
The trio of Dean Nalder, Liam Hurse and Brayden Wright punctuated the performance by making new high scores for the season.
Nalder and Hurse both scored their third 50 of the season, with both making 50s against Colts Phelans and Beaufort, while Wright broke out for his first 50.
While the Magpies will have to be in top form to grab first innings points at Bull Millgate Oval, they have showcased the ability to potentially chase down a target of 283 this season.
In round three against Carisbrook, the Magpies managed to set a target of 233 from 40 overs courtesy of a hard-hitting 76 from 55 balls from Mark Allen which included 15 boundaries, and strong performances from Aidan Thompson and Mitch Coppick.
Their performance against Beaufort last round was their best batting display since that round three loss, scoring 191 runs at Goldfields Reserve.
The Magpies boast a deep lineup of potential candidates who could make the big score required this weekend, with six players surpassing 100 runs this season.
Anthony Ellis currently leads the run-scoring charts for the club with 190, making at least 30 in four of his seven innings.
After scoring 38 and 44 in his last two innings for the Magpies, Jude McGuire will be keen to turn a strong start into a larger total, while Brendan Ingram will look to carry some confidence from his three-wicket performance last weekend into his time at the crease.
Carisbrook will aim to suffocate the Magpies’ ambitions when play resumes on Saturday by taking early wickets and limiting the run rate from the off.
Atticus Cullinan and Hurse seem poised to be the duo tasked with taking those early wickets, having combined to dismiss 14 batters this season.
If the Magpies batting lineup manages to grind Hurse and Cullinan out of the attack, they will have to contend with spin pair Nalder and Ritik Yadav who have taken seven wickets each this season.