CricSim Herald: Bannerman Shield Round 1

By Lloyd Townsend
(he's not really half bad, is he?)

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Crusaders vs Sticky Wicket XI

Season 12 of the Bannerman Shield kicked off with a one-sided affair, with Crusaders emphatically winning their clash with the Sticky Wicket XI by nine wickets.

The Crusaders won the toss and Regan Hutchinson had the honour of bowling the first ball - it wasn't long before he would have claimed the first wicket, too, if it hadn't been for Hughes grassing an awfully simple chance. In his fifth over, Hutchinson removed Retzel, the opener playing all around a delivery that nipped back off the seam and was out LBW.

Unfortunately for the Sticky Wickets, Hughes' missed sitter set the tone for what was an awful day in the field for the men in green - three simple chances were put down and a run out missed.

The Crusaders amassed a first innings total of 439, John Heads providing the majority of the runs with a steady century, eventually ending clean bowled by the valiant Hutchinson for 125. Stalwart Ed Ames warmly greeted his loving home crowd after compiling an entertaining half-century, as did veteran Mate Perry and new face Theo Miokovic, who looked exceptionally good considering his notorious habit of missing multiple training sessions.

A visibly fired up Johnny Ridd swung the ball early in the Crusaders innings and would have picked up three early wickets had he been able to hold on to his own chances. Both he and Heads struck early in their opening spells, the former looking particularly menacing and went on to claim two more wickets in a marathon spell which returned figures of 14-0-43-3.

Not a single SWXI batsman passed 50 in their first dig - Ridd eventually claiming the first five-wicket haul of the season, with inaugural CricSim Hall of Fame member Scott Wilson starting his Shield campaign happily with four scalps.

The follow-on was enforced after the Stickies produced a meagre total of 182, but in their second dig the greens looked fair more composed - in particular Alan Parker, who scored a magnificent unbeaten century.

Ritchie picked up five wickets in the second innings with his spitting leg-breaks and Ridd was once again in all over the scorecard, his four wickets giving him nine for the match, Parker's defiant innings and Daniel Speirs scoring a classy 78 runs at the top of the order were the only things for SWXI fans smile about batting wise, as they set the Crusaders 63 runs to win.

Ames and Heads marched the Crusaders to a nine wicket victory, but not without some amusement - Retzel signalled his intent immediately by mowing the first three balls he faced to the fence, but was out immediately after playing one of the most horrid slogs one will ever see.

Hutchinson's lively bowling and some vintage batting from their veterans are two positives the Stickies can take from this match, but the honours fall overwhelmingly in favour of the Crusaders - they were simply too good in what turned into a mismatch.

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Ravens vs Allstars

The Ravens started their Bannerman Shield campaign in spectacular fashion, soaring high over the highly-touted Allstars at Ravens Unkindness.

LV Himann was the first innings' star for the Blues, his delightful unbeaten 134 being the sole reason the Allstars managed the acceptable total of 334 - he anchored the innings throughout and withstood the pressure from the aggressive Ravens pace attack. Standing up to the heat, Himann was the only Allstars' batsman to pass 50.

Ravens president and captain Robert Cribb made an awful start to his Shield campaign, caught behind for one run before getting out first ball in the second innings - fortunately for him, SSD Dong (120) and CJ Laing (93) were there to steady ship after the Allstars made early breakthroughs.

Hall of Fame member Alec Funkotron took three wickets along with infamous legspinner HG Emm - the latter removing both of the Ravens danger men, but only after their significant hands took the total to 350+, eventually finishing on an impressive 425.

The 'Stars were again solid with the bat, BJT Manera contributing 138 runs at the top of the order before falling victim to the ever-persistent Ryabovol. Himann was unable to repeat his impact this time around - he was out for 11. The Ravens were in the hot seat after picking up 3/23 during the middle of the innings, but Funkotron and Davis ensured that the run chase would be a difficult one, slapping the bowling around with utter disdain and taking the target to 311.

Despite a seemingly tough run chase made more difficult by Davis's first ball breakthrough on Cribb, the Ravens cruised home, winning by five wickets. However, it could have been very different were it not for a key 150-run partnership by Callum Laing and Supple Dong. Laing scored 93* off 120 balls to ensure a resounding win for the Ravens, with Dong contributing 72*. The two Ravens batsmen were standout performers and deserve a large amount of credit for winning the game for their side. Emm was the only bowler to put up a fight, taking another three wickets.

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Vipers vs Stingrays

The menacing Vipers mercilessly crushed the hapless Stingrays in what was eventually a blowout.

Wes Welker was the first of the Vipers' bowling quartet to stand up, taking an extraordinary 6 wickets for just 17 runs in the first innings, which is particularly impressive for a spinner on an unfriendly pitch. Even after such a fantastic season last year, it appears Welker is ready to push on. Despite little resistance from the Stinrays CricSim's Power Rankings batting #2, Siege Morgan, racked up a fighting 42 - he was gritty when others fell from whimsical shots.

The Vipers' celebrated bowling attack rolled the 'Rays for 127, with Eggman, Weaver and Blunder picking up one, one and two wickets respectively.

James Torres was unable to back up his new ~$1m bat sponsorship during the Vipers' innings, out to Stingrays pace star Andrew James for 1, but it was Ryan Gee (234) and Sam Verigotta (102) that capitalised on what was overall a poor display of bowling. The opening combination of Andrew James (3/137) and Steve Cambridge (2/119) appeared to work wonders at the start of the innings, the former picking up three wickets before the onslaught began.

Gee and Verigotta were immense, playing disrespectful shots to all areas of the ground - Gee's lofted straight six was struck so powerfully that it punched a hole in the sightscreen. Once Verigotta ran himself out in embarrassing fashion, DN Boland was swiftly removed for a duck by Shield debutant Rask (2/142) - the 'Rays were unable to pounce on the opportunity to run through the tail, as GJ Weaver struck his first class high score of 157*.

The partnership between Gee and Weaver was worth 183 runs, alone more than the Stingrays managed in their first innings. Zohaib Ikram picked up two wickets in his Bannerman Shield debut but was unable to replicate the form he has shown in other first class matches.

Despite a magnificent century by Logan in the second innings, to get near the 629 runs by the Vipers was a monstrous task. Kelvin Fung was solid in his half-century, as was the ever-important Morgan, who just fell short of his milestone, making 47. Iridium Lee also contributed 48 runs.

Victorian legend Dave Eggman showed he still has the goods, taking 4/91 as the Stingrays fought hard to score 372. Wes Welker took nine for the match as he picked up 3/84 in the second innings, putting the icing on the cake for the Vipers as they slithered home by an innings and 130 runs.

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Cyclones vs Pumas

In a stunning all-round performance, Scott Flack took four wickets and scored two glorious centuries, helping the Pumas to a simple victory over the favourites for the Bannerman Shield Season 12 wooden spoon.

The Cyclones batted first, with Farhat and Masters both scoring half centuries but all seven batsmen in the upper and middle orders throwing away starts. Cyclones fans watched on as Bannerman Shield debutant Dirk Diggler and veteran Flank took three wickets each, but their total of 297 was nothing to be ashamed of. Despite home-ground advantage, the Cyclones were tipped to struggle, but just needed one of their batsmen to push on if they were to make a real dent in the Pumas' hopes.

Flack was remarkably unbeaten in both innings, his 159* in the first a towering effort as Geriant Martyn rubbished his naysayers, taking four wickets to ensure no other batsman passed 50. The Pumas scored 388 to put themselves in a strong position going into the second half of the game. But it could have been very different were it not for an incredibly important 130-run partnership between #8 Matt Dorn and #10 Haydos Bots. Interestingly, the innings also contained 15 no balls - Martyn the main culprit with five front-foot errors.

Farhat was again present for the Cyclones in the third innings, scoring 63 opening the batting. His partnership with Narang was vital, eventually reaching 133 before the latter was out wafting the ball to the slips cordon off the bowling of Diggler.

Juan Gonzalez also scored a half century batting at 3, and Tool Man contributed a score. Aaron Hunt took three alongside MD Dorn, but the Cyclones were set a daunting total on a wearing track - the Pumas were to chase down 307.

The 'Clones stunned the Pumas early on with a spectacular double breakthrough from Michael Edwards, but as soon as Flack strode to the crease, Pumas fans could relax - he never looked troubled in his innings of 153*. He was ably partnered by Harding and CricSim's #1 ranked batsman Jono Chewie, whose scores of 73 and 64* made what was a tough task look like child's play.

The 7 wicket win for the Pumas doesn't accurately represent the game as the Cyclones were only one star batsman away from really putting pressure on the Pumas - the 'Clones didn't register a single century during the match, with a highest score of 67, however, they managed six 50s. It was promising signs for the lowest ranked team in the Shield, but the Pumas will need to improve if their Premiership aspirations are to become reality.

Bannerman Shield Team of the Round

1. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=41>BJT Manera</a> (4,138)

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- Fought bravely for his second innings ton. His partnership with Himann will be crucial this season.

2. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=943>LV Himann</a> (134, 11)

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- Excellent first innings century, exciting way to start the season for the 'Stars opener.

3. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=78>R Gee</a> (234)

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- Sunk the 'Rays with a masterful display of skill and aggression.

4. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=58>SA Flack</a>* (159*, 153*, 4/156)

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- Brilliant, performance of the week. Untouchable with the bat and extremely handy with the ball.

5. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=928>SSD Dong</a> (120, 72*)

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- Match-winner with Laing, played two gutsy and impressive innings to guide the Ravens home.

6. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=358>CJ Laing</a> (93, 93*)

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- Great partnerships with Dong, unlucky not to score centuries. Will seek to continue this form after a rough patch.

7. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=324>K Fung</a> + (12, 50)

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- The best in a bad week for wicketkeepers.

8. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=337>JH Ridd</a> (9/134)

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- Bowled well consistently, taking five and four wickets in each innings.

9. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=447>JJ Ritchie</a> (5/97)

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- Took a crucial second innings five wicket haul to bring the 'Saders home.

10. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=332>WC Welker</a> (9/101)

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- Blew the Stingrays away in the first innings with his legbreaks. His 6//17 was arguably the bowling performance of the week.

11. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=472>RS Hutchinson</a> (5/112)

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- Solid all-round performance, only just did enough to make the side. Was brave in a losing side.