NSW Premier Cricket: Bankstown’s Liam Marshall inspires win over Campbelltown-Camden

As former Bankstown captain and pace bowler Nathan McAndrew competes in the Sheffield Shield this summer, a pack of young quicks have stepped up for the Bulldogs.

After suffering back-to-back defeats in the opening rounds of the NSW Premier Cricket first grade competition, Bankstown Cricket Club was desperate for a change in fortune when they travelled to Sydney’s southwest to take on the Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts.

The stage was set for opening quick Liam Marshall, celebrating his 21st birthday on his return to a familiar Raby Oval against his former club.

Birthday boy Liam Marshall celebrating a wicket at Raby Oval. Picture: Jeremy Ng

After a loose opening delivery called wide by the umpire Marshall got to work and captured the prized scalp of Toby Flynn-Duncombe for a duck next ball.

Danger man Jackson Isakka was walking back to the pavilion in the birthday boy’s next over after being caught behind by wicketkeeper Ethan Deal and before Marshall’s opening spell was complete, Ghosts’ second drop Aarron Muir was caught off a thick leading edge.

Campbelltown-Camden limped to 169 off their 50 overs after a valuable contribution by Bankstown paceman Tyler Van Nuin, who dominated the middle overs to walk away with 4/22 off 10 overs.

Marshall dismissed three of the Ghosts top four batsman. Picture: Jeremy Ng

Marshall played a season for the Ghosts as a teenager.

The Bulldogs top-order chased down the total inside 30 overs to earn a bonus point, with opening batsman Nick Carruthers scoring 75 runs at more than a run a ball.

Marshall, who lives in the Campbelltown area, told NewsLocal he relished the chance to play at his old stomping ground just a five-minute drive from his front door.

“It was really good to play at Raby, I like the wicket there. There is always something for the bat and ball,” he said.

“I actually thought the wicket was going to be a lot flatter than it was. We knew from probably the first ten overs it was holding up quite a bit so guys were going through their shots a bit too early.

“I think my role is pretty clear, to hit a length and try and build pressure and lucky enough it did pay off.”

Liam Marshall (left) celebrates a wicket. Picture: Jeremy Ng

With the departure of former Bankstown captain and fast bowler Nathan McAndrew, who has joined South Australia for the current Sheffield Shield season, Marshall has stepped into a spearhead role for the Bulldogs pace attack.

The 21-year-old was quick to point out the responsibility was shared across the pace bowling attack, praising the support of senior players around the group.

The quick bowler, who has been a fixture of the Bulldogs first grade team for the past three to four seasons, has his sights set on a successful summer campaign for Bankstown with the hope of ultimately earning a state-based contract.

Campbelltown-Camden 9/169 (cc) A Whatley 40 BT Smith 33 T Van Luin 4/22 L Marshall 3/35 def byBankstown 2/170 N Carruthers 75 D Solway 49 Z Ahmed 26*