Bird lashes century to rescue Hurricanes in opening game

ALEX Bird lashed 103 and featured two crucial late partnerships with Geoff Reid and Arthur Harley to rescue North West Sydney Hurricanes in their opening first grade cricket game against Strathfield on Saturday.

Hurricanes all-rounder Brock McFadgean, who took three wickets and topscored for the second grade. Picture: Carmela Roche

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ALEX Bird lashed 103 and featured two crucial late partnerships with Geoff Reid and Arthur Harley to rescue North West Sydney Hurricanes in their opening first grade cricket game against Strathfield on Saturday.

Batting at number nine, Bird plundered a dozen fours and three sixes in his 82-ball knock to whisk the Hurricanes from 6-58 to 319 at Airey Park as the 2016/17 Sydney Shires competition got under way.

Reid made an invaluable 68 from 93 balls and eight boundaries as he added 103 for the seventh wicket.

New Zimbabwean recruit Arthur Harley cracked 64 from 50 balls with nine fours and two sixes as he and Bird posted 94 runs for the ninth wicket in quick time.

Strathfield will resume this Saturday on 1-52.

In second grade action, Hurricanes (86) grabbed first innings points after dismissing Strathfield for 54.

John Cacchione, Brock McFadgean and Issac Malamel took three wickets each. Strathfield were 4-71 at close in their second innings.

Alex Bird cracked a priceless century for first grade.

McFadgean then topscored with 25 to help Hurricanes snatch a small first innings lead.

Hurricanes were dismissed for 166 in their third grade game and had Strathfield at 2-67 at stumps.

In the fourth grade at Castlewood, the Hurricanes will resume on Saturday at 1-44, chasing Strathfield’s 238.

In their Tim Creer Cup games, Hurricanes Black (142) beat Pennant Hills (90) at Charles McLaughlin reserve, while Hurricanes Maroon (76) lost to Burwood Briars (106) at Castlewood on Sunday.

It was a massive day for club veteran Adam Magic who was playing in his milestone 350th match for the club.

Adam Macic played his 350th game for the Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, new Hurricanes president Phillip Dodd is excited about the new season as he announced Daniel Johnson as first grade Captain and Noel South as skipper of the second grade.

“We like to thank Dave McDonald for his years of service as the past club president,” Dodd said.

“We as a club at looking towards the future of cricket in the North West Sydney in partnership, Parramatta grade cricket academy with a pathways program.

“We have six senior shires teams, one women team and seven junior teams in President’s Cup from ages 10 — 16 for the 2016/17 season.

“Another really innovative addition to the club’s profile this season is the introduction of the Cricket Australia women umpiring courses.

“We are really excited to be able to celebrate women in sport, especially in a male dominated sport.”

Brock McFadgean is congratulated by team mates after picking up one of his three wickets. Picture: Carmela Roche

Dodd said Cricket Australia has a community officiating course that is aimed at people being involved in grassroots cricket.

“It prepares people for umpiring junior and school cricket,” Dodd said.

“There are also other courses offered for umpiring senior (men’s and women’s) premier cricket.”

The course is nationally recognised, as part of the Cricket Australia accreditation program and is currently offered to women for free.

Anyone wishing to participate can do so by contacting the club.

Dates to watch: President’s Cup trials: October 9; Thunder Day: December 18 at Kanebridge Oval

Details: Phillip Dodd on 0414 388 068

To register for the women’s umpiring courses: http://bit.ly/2ccb6zL