Some explosive late hitting by Craig Trindall and a solid half-century by Tony Clark have been the driving force behind Australia’s comfortable 50-run victory against New Zealand in game two of the Over 50’s Spirit of Cricket Festivale at Wentworth.
Sent in to bat after losing the toss at McLeod Oval, Australia’s promising start was stifled by two early run outs and losing wickets at regular intervals before Clark and Trindall lifted them to an imposing 6/227 from 45 overs.
Australia got off to a steady start with Stephen Mace and Clint Keble putting on 22 runs. However, momentum shifted in favour of New Zealand with the two run outs, leaving them at 2/28 off eight overs.
Australia then stumbled further when they lost Leith Dawes to be 3/38. A solid partnership of 46 between Richard Gabb and Clark provided stability.
Gabb played a quickfire knock of 37 off 31 balls before falling LBW. But Tim Haysman’s wicket for 16 again had Australia struggling at 5/118 off 28 overs.
The Australian lower order stepped up, with Clark and Simon Waddington contributing a crucial 59-run stand.
Clark was eventually run out for a well-made 74 off 99 balls in the 40th over.
The final five overs saw some explosive hitting from Trindall, who smashed 35 not out off 18 balls, including two sixes off his first two deliveries.
Waddington also remained unbeaten on 36 off 49 balls as Australia finished their innings.
New Zealand’s reply began positively, reaching 33 without loss after nine overs.
But Phil Melville struck with the key wicket of Richard Petrie, and Trindall followed up with a sharp low catch by Dawes to leave New Zealand at 2/38.
Melville’s LBW further dented New Zealand’s progress, reducing them to 3/50 after 13 overs.
The momentum continued to swing Australia’s way when John Garry, who played a solid hand of 47, was caught at short cover by Gabb off Haysman’s bowling, leaving New Zealand at 4/59.
Australia tightened their grip, and New Zealand found themselves struggling at 5/75 after 19 overs.
A resilient partnership of 79 between Scott McHardy and Bert Horner brought New Zealand back into the game, but Christian Farley’s breakthrough in the 37th over triggered a collapse.
New Zealand lost three wickets in quick succession and were eventually bowled out for 177.
– Anthony Telfer
