Sport
25 February, 2025
Yadav’s seven books Carisbrook for finals
A magnificent seven wickets for Ritik Yadav shot Carisbrook past Clunes, winning by 94 runs and officially clinching a spot in finals for the first time since their return to A grade.
Openers Anthony Ellis and Jude McGuire were tasked with getting the Magpies off to a flying start, with Clunes needing 283 runs to complete the biggest run chase of the season.
They instilled some confidence into their teammates by navigating the opening bowling partnership of Atticus Cullinan and Liam Hurse, combining for a 54-run partnership.
That’s when Yadav entered the fray.
He gunned down both openers in quick succession, first dismissing McGuire for 18 after he was given out LBW before removing Ellis with the same method after a well-made 32.
That opened the floodgates for Carisbrook as Yadav was again in the action, catching Brenton Jones off the bowling of Cole Harris for five.
With Carisbrook grabbing three wickets for six runs, Clunes had a mountain to climb at 3/60 and the visitors quickly made that mountain even taller.
Yadav would grab his third wicket of the day, bowling a fill-in player for 12 and continued his impact in the field, catching Mark Allen off the bowling of Cullinan after he made 15.
All hope seemed to be lost for the Magpies at 5/88, but the new duo of Mitch Coppick and Michael Allen had other ideas.
The pair managed to stifle the Carisbrook attack with smart batting and timely boundaries, opening up the door of opportunity for Clunes and causing some concerns for Carisbrook.
Despite their remarkable efforts, Yadav would slam the door shut by ending the 85-run partnership after Michael Allen was caught in the deep by Brayden Wright for 42.
Yadav would collect his fifth wicket the next ball, bowling Axel Allen for a duck to leave Clunes at 7/173.
Despite not completing the hat-trick, Yadav grabbed the last two wickets by bowling Brendan Ingram for two, then finishing the superb innings of Coppick after Cullinan made a sharp catch.
Coppick top scored with 46, leaving Brad Stevenson not out on three as Clunes was bowled out for 188.
Yadav was the star for Carisbrook, finishing with 7/37 from 19.3 overs, surpassing Zach Graham’s 7/49 last week against Colts Phelans for best figures of the season.
Carisbrook will be allowed to rest up ahead of their semi-final match, as they have the bye for the final round.
The Magpies will finish their season with a replay of last year’s grand final against Laanecoorie Dunolly at Deledio Recreation Reserve.