Darwin openers Jacob Dickman and Atharv Deshpande overcome PINT
A massive stand from the Darwin openers proved just enough for the outfit to pull off a narrow win against a gallant PINT. Catch up on all the Round 4 Darwin and District cricket action.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Centuries to Darwin openers Jacob Dickman (111) and Atharv Deshpande (111) set up the Eagles for a searching three-run win over a gallant PINT in their Darwin A-Grade Cricket match played at DXC Arena.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the pair gave their side the ideal start adding 199 for the first wicket with the only blemish being a dropped catch from Dickman midway through his innings.
But despite the impressive platform, PINT remained resolute in the field and the Eagles finished at a less than notable 6-293 after the allotted 50 overs.
The similarity between the two batsmen was surprising – both scored the same amount of runs with Dickman facing 121 balls and Deshpande a mere two more deliveries before he was dismissed a short time after his partner.
Mitchell Jamieson (18), Jake Mundy (18) and Smit Raval (10) all started positively but failed to enhance the total and bat the Greens out of the game.
The PINT horde of medium pacers and spinners Mitch Doolan and Coby Edmondstone all toiled with little success, but their steadiness together with a solid defensive fielding performance kept the batting side to a gettable total.
In reply, PINT also got away to a good start with openers Farzan Chowna (83) and Edmondstone (57) building a solid base for those to follow and while Connor Poulton (52 from 51 balls) in the middle order shone, the Green Team fell an agonising three runs short after its 50-over allocation.
Notwithstanding the batting heroics by the Eagle openers, it was Dylan McMahon (5-55, 10 overs) who was the eventual Eagle match winner on the placid batting strip at DXC Arena.
But it was Dickman who stole the show with back-to-back centuries following his 122 last round in a losing game against Palmerston.
“I’m enjoying my cricket and that makes it easier to do my job and achieving some success makes it more enjoyable from a personal and team perspective,” Dickman said.
“We didn’t have a total in mind when we went out to bat, and we were a bit surprised early because the wicket was doing a bit, and it was not always easy to keep the ball out.
“They bowled well at the start but as the wicket hardened up it became a bit easier but while we would like to get 199 each week, it just doesn’t work that way and we will accept the good days when they come along.
“However, with the start we got, I reckon we should have scored around 350 so there was never any guarantee that 293 would be enough on this wicket at DXC Arena.”
In other matches, Southern Districts overwhelmed Tracy Village at Gerry Wood Oval. Batting first, the Villagers were bowled out for 203 with opener Harry Carroll (66) and Darcy Gregory-Francis (63no) carrying the batting load while Tim Garner (3-24) was best with the ball.
And in a fine double, Garner (59no) was still at the crease when his team reached the required total with four wickets down after 45.5 overs.
And at Gardens Oval the home team also got away early with the bat and reached 4-168 – Jagadeswara Koduru 65, Sam Elliott 43 and Isaac Conway 42 - before being restricted to 220 all out against Nightcliff.
The Tigers maintained their unbeaten record in this competition but were made to work for the win reaching 7-221 (Connor Carroll 67, Michael Kudra 50no; Udara Weerasinghe 3-29, 10 overs).
Round 4 Results:
Darwin 6-293 (Jacob Dickman 111, Atharv Deshpande 111) d PINT 9-290 (Farzan Chowna 83, Coby Edomndstone 57, Connor Poulton 52; Dylan McMahon 5-55).
Southern Districts 4-204 (Tim Garner 59no) d Tracy Village 10-203 (Harry Carroll 66, Darcy Gregory-Francis 63no; Tim Garner 3-24).
Nightcliff 7-221 (Connor Carroll 67, Michael Kudra 50no; Udara Weerasinghe 3-29) d Waratah 10-220 (Jagadeswara Koduru 65; Mansukh Singh 3-41).
Bye: Palmerston
Palmerston middle order help clinch side’s first win of season
Palmerston tasted victory for the first time this season following a well-crafted five-wicket win over Tracy Village in their Darwin A-Grade Cricket match played at Cazalys Oval on Saturday.
The Villagers elected to bat after winning the toss but found themselves in early bother at 3-30 with Andrew Somerville snaring two wickets.
Matthew Scoble took the other when he had Harry Carroll stumped by Maroon keeper Caleb Montague, after he accurately rolled the ball from 20m behind the stumps to find Carroll had wandered out of his crease.
A 97-run fourth wicket partnership between opener Ansh Tiwary (72) and Arjun Sehrawat (46) steadied Tracy.
But once that pair was removed, others couldn’t sustain the momentum, and most did not handle the guile of Hamish Martin (3-21, 8.4 overs) who cleaned up the tail.
It was a similar tale when Palmerston batted with opener Aidan Firman (11) and number three Harshtik Bimbral (no score) both falling in quick succession to medium pacer Tahir Abbas (2-18, 7 overs).
At 2-28 the home side was on shaky ground, but a recovering middle-order partnership between Alex Bleakley (66) and Ethan Anderson (29no) closed the gap and set their side up for victory.
Also in the Palmerston mix was Wellington (New Zealand) keeper/batsman recruit Montague who by his own expectations has under-performed with the bat scoring in the thirties twice and the mid-sixties last round.
“I had heard the cricket up here in Darwin was of a high standard and because I have ambitions to play at the highest level in New Zealand, I simply decided to pack my bags and here I am,” Montague said.
“New Zealand cricket had got a lot better over the past few years and to be able to play under a black cap, it’s important to experience different conditions against different players so that’s’ another reason for the move to Darwin.
“I like to think that batting is my strong point although I enjoy keeping as well. I’m a bit disappointed in my batting output since being here – I’m getting through the early hard yards but falling to a bit of undisciplined play and getting out.
“Another 30-odd today tells the story. But, playing here in these hot conditions is unusual for me, however, I’m here to learn to adjust to conditions outside my usual comfort zone.”
In other games, reigning premier Southern Districts picked up its first win of the season against Waratah in a relatively low scoring affair played at Gerry Wood Oval.
Districts batted first and finished at 7-175 after 50 overs. Jackson Isakka topped the list with 43 while Crandel Siegelwin (3-22, 10 overs) filed the best return for the red cap bowlers.
In reply, Tahs were humbled and bowled out for 165.
And, Nightcliff proved too strong for PINT, winning by six-wickets in the match played at DXC Arena.
Chasing the PINT 216 Farzan Chowna (79) and Connor Poulton (58), a 140-run fifth wicket partnership between Mansukh Singh (85no) and skipper Michael Kudra (52no) got the Tigers home.
Round 3 Results:
Palmerston 5-174 (Alex Bleakley 66, Caleb Montague 36; Tahir Abbas 2-18) d Tracy Village 10-173 (Ansh Tiwary 72; Hamish Martin 3-21, Andrew Somerville 3-31).
Nightcliff 4-217 (Mansukh Singh 85no, Michael Kudra 52no; Dhanusha Gamage 2-37) d PINT 10-216 (Farzan Chowna 79, Connor Poulton 58; Jai Allman 4-38, Charlie Smith 3-54).
Southern Districts 7-175 (Jackson Isakka 43; Crandel Siegelwin 3-22) d Waratah 10-165 (Shashank Lokesh 58; Andrew Bourne 3-34).
Bye: Darwin
Darwin spin pair put Villagers to the sword in Round 2
Darwin opened its winning account for the season following a rollicking eight-wicket victory over Tracy Village in their Darwin A-Grade Cricket match played at the Village Green on Saturday.
The Villagers chose to bat after winning the toss, but were sedate early in their inning against a steady medium pace Darwin bowling attack and at the first break after 17 overs reached a moderate 2-55 with Kris Denby and Dylan McMahon taking a wicket each.
The introduction of off-spinner Adi Dave (3-36, 10 overs) and leggie Smit Raval (2-25, 10 overs) paid dividends and after 34 overs Tracy was 5-117.
However, a flurry of late order partnerships, including 64 runs from Jack Doyle and 43 by Darcy Gregory-Francis batting at seven and five respectively, lifted the total to 219 at the compulsory close after 50-overs.
In reply, Darwin always maintained control with the bat starting with Jacob Dickman (56) at the top of the order and then a match winning third wicket partnership between Mitchell Jamieson (92 n.o.) and skipper Daniel Kerber (63 n.o.) sealed the deal for the visitors.
It was Eagle spin pair Dave and Raval that kept the Tracy batsmen in reasonable check, and the leg-spinner Raval who was recruited from Blacktown Mounties Cricket Club in Syndey Premier Grade Cricket, added three outfield catches and a runout to his two wickets.
In his first season in Darwin, Raval said he was invited to the Top End and believed the experience would help build on his already impressive record in NSW Cricket which included second eleven games with his adopted state last season.
“I had a really good season playing in Sydney and the Darwin coach asked if I was keen to play here and I thought it would be a great learning opportunity, so I jumped at the chance,” Raval said.
“I came to Australia from India in 2018 and started playing with the Blacktown Cricket Club where the coach and others have helped me to develop my game and to be included in the NSW State Squad was a reward.
“My main aim is to spin the ball as much as I can and despite the kind of pitch we play on my attitude does not change and all of my coaches, including here in Darwin, support that concept. So, my tactic is simple - restrict runs and take wickets.”
In other games, the Waratah early season run feast continued with the red caps totalling 4-314 from its allotted 50-overs.
Again, skipper Jagadeswara Koduru (135*) led the way and he received top order support from Sashank Lokesh (132).
In response, PINT was bowled out for 256 with Jonathan Caderamanpulle (94*) and Farzan Chowna (53) leading the chase.
Pace bowler Archie McCormick (3-47, eight overs) had a good day with the ball.
And at Nightcliff Oval, the home side (10-230) was again reliant on its top order - Connor Carroll 65, James Doherty 51, Douwtjie Hoogenboezem 42).
Palmerston opening bowler Darshan Thakkar (4-44, 10 overs) was the best with the ball.
For the second week, the Maroons fell agonisingly short and reached 198 at the close with Caleb Montague (64) again the best with the bat.
Tiger medium pacer Nick Fleming (4-36) topped the bowling list.
Round 2 Results:
Waratah 4-314 (Jagadeswara Koduru 135 n.o., Sashank Lokesh 132; Ajay Emmanuel 2-57) d PINT 9-256 (Jonathan Caderamanpulle 94 n.o., Farzan Chowna 53; Archie McCormick 3-47)
Nightcliff 10-230 (Connor Carroll 65, James Doherty 51, Douwtjie Hoogenboezem 42; Darshan Thakkar 4-44) d Palmerston 10-198 (Caleb Montague 64; Nick Fleming 4-36.
Darwin 2-221 (Mitchell Jamieson 92 n.o, Daniel Kerber 63 n.o.) d Tracy Village 8-219 (Jack Doyle 64, Darcy Gregory-Francis 43; Adi Dave 3-36, Smit Raval 2-25).
Bye: Southern Districts.
Grand finalists fall in surprising Round 1 of Darwin Cricket
Set up by a century opening stand, Nightcliff opened its 2024 Darwin Premier Grade Cricket season with a well-crafted 114-run win over Darwin in the 50-over match played at Kahlin Oval.
The Tigers batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for 270 with one ball remaining.
The competitive score was largely initiated by openers Connor Carroll (90) and Douwtjie Hoogenboezem (75) who amassed 157 for the first wicket.
James Doherty (49) batting at four added to the Eagle’s bowling woes, although the home side managed to stem the tide of runs and as a result take multiple wickets late in the innings.
The early damage with the bat was a bridge too far for Darwin and despite a moderate opening stand by Jacob Dickman (38) and Jordan Rossi (27) they were eventually beaten by 114 runs.
Leg-spinner Charlie Smith (4-32, 9 overs) and off-spinner Andrew Richards (2-30, 10 overs) did most of the damage with the ball.
Back for his third season with Nightcliff, 22-year-old opener Connor Carroll blasted his 90 runs from 75 balls with 14 fours and three sixes and said he and Hoogenboezem were keen to maximise their stay at the crease and attack the bowling as often as possible.
“It was a pretty low and slow wicket so me and Douwtjie decided to take to the bowlers at all times because batting would not get any easier as the match progressed,” said Carroll.
“We got together early while batting and thought 250 would be enough but after the powerplay and without losing a wicket we decided that a huge platform would probably set up a win.
“This is my third season up here from Brisbane and I am a cricket tragic and want to play as much as I can and because the competition up here is good and getting better, I use Darwin as a basis for improving my game.”
In other games, and in a surprise result, PINT travelled to Gerry Wood Oval to take on three-time premiers Southern Districts and defeated the home side by five wickets.
Districts batted first and were bowled out for 142 from 47 overs with off-spinner Coby Edmondstone taking 4-23 from his allotted 10 overs.
In reply, PINT finished with 5-143 off 42.2 overs, and in a fine double, Edmondstone scored 38 at the top of the order while Prasanna Ketheeshwara remained unbeaten on 38. Chris McEvoy (3-17) was the best bowler for the rural team.
And at Cazalys Oval, Waratah batted out its overs and totalled 9-214 against Palmerston with skipper Jagadeswara Koduru topping the list with 80.
In reply, the Maroons managed a solid 194 all out. Dave Dubey (4-32) and veteran red-cap off-spinner Udara Weerasinghe (3-24, 10 overs) shone with the ball.
Round 1 Results:
Waratah 9-214 (Jagadeswara Koduru 80) d Palmerston 10-194 (Caleb Montague 39; Dave Dubey 4-32, Udara Weerasinghe 3-24)
Nightcliff 10-270 (Connor Carroll 90, Douwtjie Hoogenboezem 75, James Doherty 49; Will Pilkington 3-61) d Darwin 10-156 (Jacob Dickman 38; Charlie Smith 4-32)
PINT 5-143 (Coby Edmondstone 38, Prasanna Ketheeshwara 38 n.o.; Chris McEvoy 3-17) d Southern Districts 10-142 (Coby Edmondstone 4-23)
More Coverage
Originally published as Darwin openers Jacob Dickman and Atharv Deshpande overcome PINT
A wild Red Centre: Police and rangers wrangle loose horses
A number of horses are in the hands of a Red Centre turf club after their brief sojourn in the streets of suburban Alice Springs. Read the latest.
‘Best garrison city’: Army to give sneak peek behind scenes in Darwin
In a bid to inspire the next generation of Diggers, Robertson Barracks will open its gates to the public for the first time in five years, with “world-class” military demonstrations organised for the event. Read what the commander said.