Centuries to Ezekiel and Clarence put Easts Dolphins in prime position at Mark Taylor Oval

Max Abbott reports on a partnership of 194 between Greg Clarence and Adam Ezekiel putting Easts Dolphins in charge against Northern Districts in their two-day cricket match.

Easts cricketer Adam Ezekiel after his century against Northern Districts. Picture: Barry Clarence

A PARTNERSHIP of 194 bet­ween Greg Clarence and Adam Ezekiel has put Easts Dolphins in a strong position at the halfway point of their two-day clash against Northern Districts.

Their partnership helped Easts recover from a disastrous start to reach 9-374 at Mark Taylor Oval.

Wenty — Easts cricketer Adam Ezekiel after his century against Northern Districts. Picture: Barry Clarence

After electing to bowl first, Northern Districts quickly gained the upper hand, reducing the Dolphins to 4-25 within the first hour.

A 73-run partnership between Clarence and Steffan Piolet steadied the innings, though at 5-108 Easts were well short of parity.

But at this point Ezekiel joined Clarence in the middle and the duo remained there for 52 overs.

Both batsmen made centuries, with Clarence’s 148 coming off 231 deliveries, while Ezekiel needed just 187 balls in compiling 139.

Adam Ezekiel in full flight on his way to a century. Picture: Barry Clarence

The partnership was just one run short of the club’s highest record six-wicket stand, which was set back in 1904.

More importantly, the innings has put Easts in the box seat to gain first-innings points and maintain a top-four position.

Easts were also celebrating the performance of wicketkeeper Peter Nevill in NSW’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

NSW's Peter Nevill in action for NSW in the Sheffield Shield.

Nevill became the first NSW wicketkeeper to score a double century in a Sheffield Shield match in making 235 not out.

The innings backed up Nevill’s brilliant 138 not out for the Dolphins the weekend before.