Quick Singles: Essendon jet Zach Merrett makes a cameo while a fly in the eye caused chaos for a wicketkeeper

An Essendon superstar made a cameo, a wicketkeeper’s drinks break blunder and a star duo is facing a long stint on the sidelines. All that, and more, in this edition of Quick Singles.

Zach Merrett. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It’s a long way from 95,000 at the MCG.

Essendon superstar Zach Merrett is one of the many AFL players who have traded the Sherrin for a cricket bat this off-season, turning out for south west country club Bookaar on Saturday.

Merrett, a solid cricketer in his own right, didn’t bowl but crunched 19 not out off just 14 balls in the second innings to see his side to victory.

Merrett is no stranger to local cricket, regularly playing with mates in his home region or at Premier Cricket club Fitzroy Doncaster.

GO BIG OR GO HOME

When you are so close to your first century in 17 years, it’s probably a good idea to nudge them around and get there in ones and twos. Not so for Jason “Jugga’’ Nagel, the Somerville coach deciding to go big or go home when he was on 90 against Carrum Downs in thirds on Saturday and was caught on the fence. “The (chaps) were bowling with six on the leg side around the wicket,’’ he lamented. Funny thing was, even with 90, Jugga’s performance was probably the third best in his family on Saturday; his sons Ash and Pat opened the bowling for Rosebud’s ones and took nine wickets between them.

Patrick Nagel. Picture: Andrew Batsch

HAPPENS TO THE BEST OF US

There were reports one fairly big-named cricketer had an unenjoyable day in the field last Saturday. As the opposition piled on the runs, we’re told this gun cricketer put down a stream of catches. The legend is growing about how poor his day in the field was: it started at two dropped catches but has since grown to four. One part of the tale has remained the same though ... he barely laid a finger on any of them!

GLOVES ARE OFF

Former Victorian squad wicketkeeper Brad Glenn made a comeback at the age of 55 in Pines’ fifths on Saturday, but he couldn’t get the gloves off the side’s established keeper, Paddy Swayn. Nor could Jeff Svigos, who is one of Pines’ finest-ever glovemen. “They are second and third in line to yours truly, who can’t really keep,’’ Paddy chuckled. As for Glenny, he kept himself entertained by sending down a couple lively overs of left-arm mediums. The Pines side also include former Sheffield United EPL soccer star Doug Hodgson, who is a handy all-rounder.

NOT THE BRIGHTEST IDEA

Still on wicketkeepers and one gloveman in the VSDCA competition got a fly stuck in his eye just before drinks last week. Needing some remedy to the annoyance, he reached for liquid to wash out his eye. He clearly wasn’t seeing straight because he decided to splash out his eye with the batch of cordial prepared for drinks. The opposition players who didn’t watch the process were stunned and concerned when they saw the wicketkeeper in serious pain afterwards. We’re told he didn’t take to the field after his eye-popping mistake.

Picture: Kelly Barnes

OFF THE BONE

Injury concerns for CSB reigning premiers South Caulfield. Champion batsman Brad Erasmus did his quad in a T20 game last week, while VSDCA Holten medallist Callum Nankervis

ripped his hamstring off the bone while fielding on Saturday. But in better news, new South skipper Michael de Iacovo has quickly hit his stride, blasting 60 off 43 balls, with 3 sixes, on Saturday.

ARVO TEA UPDATE

The afternoon tea scouts have been out and about in the opening month of the season.

Facebook page ‘That’s over, and tea’ have been showcasing the best, while perhaps nudging the not-so-good to lift their game. The weekend’s pinnacle included the spread of western Victorian cricket club Dennington – set out on a table almost as long as a pitch – with everything from donuts to fruit, hot and cold pastries, pizza, sandwiches and more.

“Good areas from Dennington CC with their spread on the weekend. Long table set up with plenty of access and variety,” the page remarked.

One user commented: “Good variety, excellent. Would be hoping to bat second as a bowler!”

Others labelled it “impressive” and “fabulous”.

Well played, Dennington!