Jake Lehmann stars for East Torrens in first grade cricket match of the 2019/20 season
Redbacks star Jake Lehmann has started the grade cricket season with a bang while an Australian Test batsman chips in on the way to a win. Reports from every opening round match.
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The 2019-20 SA Premier Cricket hit off at the weekend with 50-over matches, also for two-day points.
There were lots of big individual scores, including a huge, unbeaten century from a Redbacks star and two bowlers who snared five-wicket hauls.
Check out The Messenger’s reports here:
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EAST TORRENS 4/312 ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY 7/290
A stunning unbeaten 188 from Redbacks star Jake Lehmann was the key to East Torrens’ home one-day victory against a persistent Adelaide University in grade cricket’s opening round on Saturday.
Lehmann’s dominant knock came from 146 balls, with 14 fours and six sixes at Campbelltown Memorial Oval and it helped the Reds to 4/312 from their 50 overs.
In reply, Uni gave it a big shake, with 7/290.
Adam Zampa bowled well for East Torrens to grab 4/46.
East Torrens acting coach Wayne Bradbrook praised Lehmann and Zampa’s performances. “Jake was a bit circumspect early but really showed his class by building his innings,” Bradbrook said.
“Adam Zampa is a world-class bowler and he played a big part in our win.
“It was a really good quality game with both sides having a lot of depth with their state players available.
“Uni had a number of good players which made it really tough.’’
TEA TREE GULLY 3/193 NORTHERN DISTRICTS 9/192
An opening stand of 130 between Tea Tree Gully skipper Matthew Weaver and Travis Head (56) set the platform for a big win against Northern Districts at Salisbury Oval.
Weaver went at close to run-a-ball in blasting 104, including seven fours and six sixes.
The Bulls made 3/193 in 28.3 overs, in response to the Jets’ 9/192.
Australian Test batsman Head batted with typical class, hitting 54 of his runs from boundaries.
The Bulls’ Adam Somerfield had early given Northern Districts little respite, as he took 5/22. Gareth Cox, at No. 4, played a lone hand for the Jets, with 84 from 122 balls.
Weaver said the Bulls’ all-round effort had been impressive.
“It was great to get off to a top start to the season with so many changes in the team and not quite knowing how we would go,’’ Weaver said.
“The bowling was very good and Adam (Somerfield) bowled well to clean up the tail, while Trav and myself did OK with the bat.’’
Gareth Cox was best with the bat for Northern, finishing with 84, while Cameron Laird snared 2/55.
Jets player/coach Mark Cosgrove said it was an OK opening game from his side but hoped for more intensity when Northern takes on Southern District away in another one-day game for two-day points this Saturday.
“It was the first hitout for us and we’ve got quite a young side this year,” Cosgrove said.
“(We were) playing Tea Tree Gully and I would say they are going to be one of the top sides again this year.
“It was good to see where we are at and where we can improve.
“But overall I didn’t think it was a bad hitout first up.
“We just need to up the intensity, we were a bit flat with it being the first game.”
KENSINGTON 2/210 SOUTHERN DISTRICT 8/209
Reigning premier Kensington showed there was no premiership hangover with a strong win against Southern District at Kensington Gardens Reserve.
The Browns controlled play with bat and ball, finishing with 2/210 in 36.4 overs in pursuit of the Stingrays’ 8/209.
Lloyd Pope led a strong Browns’ bowling attack with 3/43 and five other Kensington bowlers took wickets.
The powerful Kensington batting lineup was never challenged.
Henry Hunt was unbeaten on 79, Johnathan Dalton backed up with 73 and opener
Jake Brown added 43 in the team’s runfest.
Kensington coach Russell Thompson said it was an impressive start to the season.
“The boys were excellent,” Thompson said.
“We bowled very well and then Southern fought back to make a bigger score than it looked at one stage.
“Henry Hunt, who has a Rookie Redbacks contract, and Johnathan Dalton controlled the game as did Jake Brown.
“Those first 10 overs with the bat really set us up.
“We won’t have Hunt for the next game as he will be going away with the Redbacks but he will be handy when we do have him.
“The bowlers also did very well and chipped in when we needed them.’’
It was not an ideal start for the Stingrays under their new coach, former West Indies international Carl Hooper.
Southern will look to bounce back when it meets Northern Districts at Bice Oval this Saturday.
STURT 215 ADELAIDE 2/216
A third-wicket unbroken stand of 191 between Patrick Page (93 not out) and Cameron
Valente (78) helped Adelaide to a comfortable win against Sturt at Price Memorial Oval.
In a 50-over match, also for two-day points, the Buffalos went on the attack early to dismiss Sturt for 215 in 46 overs.
Wes Agar, in his return to SA, played a big part in the victory with 3/28 from 10 overs.
He also featured in a catch to dismiss Sturt opener Connor Dudley and ran out No.6 batsman Angus Parker.
Josh Pengelley and Page also chipped in with two wickets each for Adelaide.
Tom Kelly (six fours, three sixes) was Sturt’s mainstay with 70 batting at number four, while Angus Judd made a handy 35 at No.10.
In reply, the Buffalos were a bit shaky on 2/25 but Page and Valente made short work of the target from there with 15 fours and three sixes between them to cruise to 2/216 in 40.4 overs.
New Buffalos coach Shaun Tait said it was a near-perfect start to the season.
“With the players we had in we expected them to play well,’’ Tait said.
“We have good depth and a couple of guys in the two who also played well and will push for A-grade selection.
“But for me I’m looking at creating a relaxed environment where players can talk to me about their cricket or other things if needed.”
PROSPECT 155 PORT ADELAIDE 7/210
Port Adelaide coach Matthew Weeks said his top-order batters must improve ahead of its clash with Adelaide away this Saturday.
The Magpies are coming off a victory against Prospect in their opening one-day game at home.
An outstanding fielding led to the win but things looked shaky early for the hosts as they were just 3/34 early in the day against the Pirates.
Weeks said starting the season with a triumph was important but his team had plenty to improve on.
“It was a pretty strange game (against Prospect),” Weeks said.
“They bowled really well early and we were sort of on the back foot for most of our innings.
“I thought we did a good job to get to 210 as it could’ve gone either way.
“It was a good effort and it was nice to get a win but we have a lot to improve on.
“Our top-order batting needs improvement and we can’t do that again.
“Against a side like Adelaide, if we do that again we will be in a bit of strife.”
The Magpies set out to defend 7/210 on the back of 71 from Stuart Coles and 67 from Austin Umpherston and knocked over the Pirates for 155 in 40.5 overs.
Jordan Thomas (3/32) led the Port bowlers.
“Aussie Umpherston and Stuart Coles played really nicely and got the game back on our terms.
“Without those two doing what they did we probably would’ve been in a bit more strife.”
Ben Turley was best of the Pirates’ attack with 3/44 and he backed up with 38 with the bat.
WEST TORRENS 193 WOODVILLE 5/194
Woodville got life under new coach Peter Sleep off to a positive start by triumphing in a low-scoring grade cricket battle with local rival West Torrens.
All-rounder Tom Andrews starred as the Peckers took a five-wicket victory in the opening round of the season at Woodville Oval.
The hosts won the toss and sent West Torrens into bat, backing its revamped bowling attack with good effect.
Woodville bowled the Eagles out for 193 and chased down the total with 14 overs to spare, finishing on 5/194.
Spinner Andrews dominated with the ball, taking 5/22, with good assistance from Harry Thoman (2/35) and Oliver McDowall (2/45).
New recruit Aaron Summers snared a single wicket.
Andrews then did the damage with the bat as he belted 74 runs from 75 balls while emerging youngster Mitchell Fuss chipped in with 49 and wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen added 35.
Skipper Daniel Drew’s 65 runs topscored for the Eagles and he also took 2/24 with the ball.
Woodville is away to Prospect in another one-day fixture this Saturday and West Torrens hosts Kensington.
The Eagles’ women had the bye in their T20 competition but will take on Sturt at Price Memorial Oval this Sunday to begin the campaign.
WOMEN’S WRAP
Southern District got its season off to a tough start with a Twenty20 loss to Northern Districts on Sunday.
The Stingrays won the toss and batted first but could only muster 6/94 from its 20 overs, Emily Johns topscoring with 23 from 34 balls.
The Jets needed 15.1 overs to reach the total and finish on 1/96, with Adelaide Strikers keeper Tegan McPharlin and Irish international Mary Waldron both making 39 not out.
Kensington edged past Sturt in their clash at Parkinson Oval.
The Blues managed 6/65 batting first, Amelia Rault topscoring with an unbeaten 24, but the Browns got to 6/66 after 18 overs to take the points.
It wasn’t without some nervy moments beforehand however.
Kensington was reeling at 5/33 before Shania McKinnon (21 runs from 25 balls) steadied the ship and saw the Browns home.
West Torrens had the bye.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, October 12 at 10.30am (one-day games, also for two-day points)
■ Southern District v Northern Districts, Bice Oval
■ Tea Tree Gully v Glenelg, Pertaringa Oval
■ West Torrens v Kensington, Henley Grange Memorial Oval
■ Prospect v Woodville, Prospect Oval
■ Adelaide v Port Adelaide, Glandore Oval
■ Adelaide University v Sturt, Park 12
■ East Torrens – bye