Dandenong star James Nanopoulos takes nine wicket haul in premier cricket
Dandenong’s James Nanopoulos has recorded the best bowling figures in premier cricket in over six decades, nearly dismissing the entire opposition – including two three-wicket maiden overs. And a former Sri Lankan opener was among his scalps.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Star Dandenong all-rounder James Nanopoulos today recorded the best figures in Victorian Premier Cricket in 62 years, grabbing 9-26 as Greenvale Kangaroos fell for 49.
Nanopoulos captured the first eight wickets of the sorry Kangas innings and looked on course to become only the sixth bowler in the long history of the competition to claim all 10.
The feat was last achieved in 1957-58.
Sri Lankan international Suraj Randiv ended Nanopoulos’s bid for the landmark, but the right-armed finished what he started, snaffling the 10th to finish with 9-26 off 15.5 overs, with four maidens.
His golden haul included two three-wicket maidens, in the fifth and ninth overs, as the home team crashed to 7-20.
The card included five ducks and only opener Aiden Zammit (17) reached double figures.
He was the ninth batsman out, having watched teammates come and go like a beach breeze.
The Kangaroos chose to bat in the two-day match, but they did it badly before the medium pace of Nanopoulos.
His 9-26 was a new record for Dandenong’s best bowling figures, beating the mark jointly held by Test man Darren Pattinson and Mark Boraston with 8-43.
Former Sri Lankan opener Kaushal Silva was among his victims, caught by wicketkeeper Jacques Augustin for a first-ball blob.
The innings lasted only 32.5 overs for the 17th-placed Kangaroos.
“Nano’’ is having a summer to savour.
Last week he assumed Dandenong’s mark for the most wickets in Premier Cricket, 313, and he’s now up to 41 wickets for the season, 46 when the Victorian Super Slam T20 tournament is included.
The best season aggregate for a Dandenong player is 46, held by Roger Gill and Will Carr.
Showing his versatility, Nanopoulos opened the batting for the Panthers in last weekend’s Super Slam Stars Conference finals.