Premier Cricket 2019-20: Footscray defeats Ringwood in Max Birthisel’s debut
Max Birthisel started the Premier Cricket season in the Fourth XI, but the 16-year-old made an immediate impact in his First XI debut against Ringwood, removing a prolific batsman.
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What a first wicket for Max Birthisel.
The 16-year-old paceman, called into Footscray’s First XI with the club’s fast-bowling stocks decimated, marked his debut with the scalp of a Premier Cricket champion in his first over on Saturday.
Birthisel removed Ringwood opener David King – a star batsman with 18 centuries to his name – for just two as the Dogs marched to a five-wicket victory.
“I don’t think Max knows the enormity of his first wicket, which is a good thing,” Footscray skipper Dylan Kight said.
“He does his research, but I don’t think he actually knows the player he got out is Ringwood’s leading run-scorer of all time and a Premier Cricket legend of the last decade.
“It was really good for him to get some reward in his first over.”
Birthisel finished with 1-41 from 13 overs, and the left-armer did not look out of place.
Kight said Birthisel, an Altona product who is in his first season at Merv Hughes Oval, was impressive in his first outing and displayed his natural pace and swing.
The teenager started 2019-20 in the club’s Fourth XI side and entered the match with 12 wickets for the summer, shared across the seconds and thirds.
“We didn’t intend on him playing in the fourths at the start of the year,” Kight said.
“We thought he’d be in the threes or pushing higher, but just the way it turned out, everyone was fit and ready to go in Round 1. Not seeing him play, we had to make a gut call on just a couple of practice matches.
“It worked against him there, but from there he’s done everything right.
“He deserves his chance.”
Footscray’s bowling group is far from healthy now, however, with Victoria speedster Jake Reed out for the season with a knee injury.
Hamish Winter-Irving is carrying what is thought to be a side strain and is likely to also miss the Round 14 clash with Fitzroy Doncaster, while Jonah Koch was left out for the Saturday-Sunday match against Ringwood as a precaution as he battles a hamstring niggle.
Lucas Dredge and Tallan Wright are also sidelined indefinitely because of lower leg injuries.
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But despite the sick list, the Dogs managed to bowl the Rams out for 216 on day one, with Jordan Buckingham (3-22) leading the way.
Spinners Dean Russ (2-37) and James Muirhead (2-43) were also productive.
Footscray was 2-6 on Sunday before Russ (87) and Travis Dean (72) combined for a 151-run stand to set up victory.
The visitors cruised to 5-218 from 57.5 overs, lifting them to second position on the ladder as they chase their first flag since 2013-14.
“That partnership was very special,” Kight said.
“We touched on it a fair bit after the game … it’s something we’ve become used to with Trav and Russy, but it’s something we shouldn’t take for granted and it’s something I want the playing group not to take for granted.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to see it a number of times.
“It’s never easy to bat on the Sunday after the wicket’s been used the previous day.
“They had to fight really hard for the first 15 overs. Ringwood bowled well, but they stuck to their game plans and it paid off.”
Footscray will face the Lions and premiership rival Carlton in the final two rounds.