VMCU Carnival Day 1 - Around the Grounds

The VMCU Junior Representative Carnival got underway in style today, with all 9 of our teams taking the park to compete in Day 1 of the Tournament.

While results varied, it was great to get the carnival underway, and to see the players evade some inclement weather to get a full day’s play in.

Claudia Fatone Shield (Under 12 Girls)

Inner South East (ISEC) hosted Western Region Junior Cricket (WRGCA) at Orrong Park, falling to a loss despite a terrific batting performance.

Losing the toss and being sent in, ISEC bounced back from a rough start to compile a total of 9/172 off their allotted 40 overs. Batting at number 7, Antonia Dias was the top scorer for the home side, batting brilliantly for 47*. Antonia was supported by teammates Anuki Dassanayake (18) and Mackenzie Connaughton (16).

WRGCA fired from the start of their innings and chased the total down in 30 overs for the loss of four wickets. The wickets were shared among Anuki Dassanayake (1/17 off 4), Antonia Dias (1/23 off 3), Liyana Welegedara (1/4 off 4) and a run out by Anushka Mehta.

Julie Savage Shield (Under 14 Girls)

North West Metropolitan Cricket Association (NWMCA) were too strong for Inner South East Cricket (ISEC) at home, winning convincingly after posting a total that proved too large for us to chase.

Batting first, NWMCA reached a total of 6/252 off their 40 overs, helped in their cause by a 110+ 4th wicket partnership. Frances Scott Mackereth was the only multiple wicket taker, finishing with the excellent figures of 2/13 off 4 overs. Ava Barton (1/32 off 5), Sayu Wijesena (1/40 off 5), Chamali Peiris (1/29 off 5), and Nicola Gouws (1/19 off 2) all bowled well, sharing the remaining wickets.

In response, ISEC fell short in their chase, all out for 75 in the 30th over. Ava Barton (21) and Frances Scott Mackereth (24) were the top scores for ISEC.

Mel Jones Shield (Under 17 Girls)

ISEC were able to put together an all-round performance to come away with the win against WRJCA at Brentwood Reserve.

Sent into the bat, ISEC made the most of their opportunity setting the visitors a score of 4/174 to chase down. Despite falling to 2/4 early in the innings, the home side was able to fight back to build important partnerships, spearheaded by Katherine Dekel, who finished retired on 61* off 73 balls. Katherine was well supported by her middle order, with Srinithi Katarey (38* off 44) and Mia Gouws (29 off 53) both playing their roles to perfection.

In response, WRGCA were dismissed for 143 in the 38th over, thanks to a domiant display from the ISEC bowling unit. Enuri Rahubadde Kankanange (2/13 off 4) and Srinithi Katarey (2/8 off 4) led the way taking multiple wickets, with Katherine Dekel (1/18 off 6.2 and the match winning wicket), Uvindee Wijesena (1/23 off 6) and Yashoda Senarathne (1/26 off 7.1) all picking up one-a-piece.

Josh Browne Plate (Under 12 Boys)

The Josh Browne Plate squad pulled off a miraculous comeback to take out Day 1’s Kookaburra ‘Team of the Day’

ISEC narrowly edged out WRGCA in the Josh Browne Plate, mounting a tremendous fightback, taking 7/21 to record a 5-Run win.

Batting first, ISEC posted 9/140 off the back of even contributions from throughout the team. Viraj Dev Kumaran (22 off 41) and Oscar Mckeown (21 off 43) top scored for the home side, closely followed by Pranshu Mistry (15 off 12) and Luke Watkin (14 off 33).

In response, WRGCA were able to build a strong start to their innings, at 3/98 and 4/114 the visitors seemed well poised to make the chase. This is where the comeback story begins, with ISEC taking 7 wickets for just 21 runs to record a 5 Run Victory.

The fightback was led by bowlers Ethan Young (3/20 off 6) and Daniel Rafferty (2/12 off 4.3), as well as three run outs!

Keith Mitchell Shield (Under 12 Boys)

What a day for Kaevish Bhasin, taking a Hattrick in the Under 12s (Mitchell Shield)

ISEC travelled to the North West to take on NWMCA, ultimately falling just short in what was a tightly fought contest.

Batting first, ISEC were only able to post a total of 97, setting their bowlers a huge task to defend their score. Leith Salwathura (25) and Kaevish Bhasin (13) both batted well to reach double figures against a high-quality bowling attack.

With a low score on the board, the match was far from over, as ISEC fought to the very end to try and take home the points. NWMCA passed the total in the 34th over, for the loss of 7-Wickets, after a strong bowling effort from ISEC to challenge the home side.

Kaevish Bhasin (3/16 off 6 including a sensational hat-trick) and Shaan Loganathan (2/8 off 6) were the pick of the bowlers.

Des Nolan Cup (Under 14 Boys)

ISEC came up short in another low scoring affair, losing to the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association (MPCA) by 3-Wickets.

ISEC were sent into bat by the home side and were dismissed for 71 after 28 overs. Charlie Stevens (21) and Sean Darvell (21) looked solid for their starts in what appeared to be tricky batting conditions.

MPCA stumbled to the total, losing 7 wickets in their chase to pass the required score in the 28th over. Putting up a great fight with the ball, there is plenty to take from the loss as the team heads into Day 2. Joshua Gunawardana (2/16 off 5.3) and Sebastian Grinberg (2/9 off 4) fought hard, both taking multiple wickets.

Russell Allen Shield (Under 14 Boys)

ISEC again fell short to the MPCA, but with plenty of positives to take from the days play.

Sent into bat, the MPCA posted a total of 9/148 off their 40 overs. ISEC bowlers were able to peg MPCA back, after they were away to a strong start aided by their top order batsmen. Shriman Adapa (2/20 off 6) and Ranbir Singh (2/20 off 8) starred with the ball.

In response, ISEC struggled to get going and fell all out for 115 in the 34th over. Gilad Lowinger (31 off 35) and Sash Yuvaraj (22 off 40) top scored with the bat.

Jim Bietzel Shield (Under 16 Boys)

ISEC came away with a thrilling, down to the wire victory against the MPCA in the Jim Beitzel Shield, taking 4/6 in the final stages of the match to defend their total.

Batting first, ISEC posted a total of 6/148 off their 40 overs, led by captain Max Chisolm who batted superbly for 65 off 114 balls. The team was able to build partnerships and use Max’s innings as the foundation to post a more than defendable total.

In response, the MPCA looked strong at 4/101, and appeared a real threat to chase down ISEC’s total throughout their innings. The visitors reached 6/137, but ultimately were unable to get over the line, with ISEC taking 4 wickets for just 6 runs, stemming the flow completely and closing out the innings to record a thrilling 5-run victory.

Ned Scrimshaw (2/25 off 7), Lachlan Smith (2/27 off 8) and Samuel Hillemacher (2/32 off 8) all took multiple wickets to help their team get over the line.

Phil Arnold Shield (Under 18 Boys)

ISEC put together an all-round performance to take home the points in a strong away win against the MPCA.

ISEC got off to a rocky start, batting first and falling to 4/14 in the early stages of the innings. Tasked with a huge fightback, Odil Perera (61 off 102) and Tevin Kuruwita (54 off 72) were more than up for the challenge, leading their team’s resurgence to put together a 103 run partnership, allowing ISEC to post a total of 9/176.

In response, the MPCA again started their innings well, reaching 3/84. The bowling unit toiled hard and were eventually able to steamroll the home side off the back of more individual brilliance from Tevin Kuruwita (5/12 off 6) and Rehan Fernando (4/27 off 9).

A special thank you to all ISEC and AGCC volunteers, and to the clubs hosting our teams for the Carnival.

Please use THIS LINK to view all results, and to view upcoming fixtures for the carnival.