WGCA 2019-20: Carlisle Park Vikings beat Clyde in an hour
There wasn’t even time to heat up the pies for afternoon tea when Carlisle Park Vikings beat Clyde in an hour in the West Gippsland Cricket Association on Saturday.
South East
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It was all over in an hour.
That’s all it took for Carlisle Park Vikings to defeat Clyde in their West Gippsland Cricket Association District clash on Saturday.
There wasn’t even time to organize afternoon teas or drinks.
After skittling Clyde for 22 (the top scorer was “extras’’, with 6), the Vikings got the runs in 11 balls, making 0-24 in 1.5 overs.
They are calling it the fastest game of cricket ever in the WGCA.
Carlisle Park Vikings captain CJ King, who took 4-5 off 6 overs, said players and umpires were “dumbfounded’’ by the blink-and-you-will-miss-it game.
“You can have a laugh about it now but on Saturday we were like, ‘what’s going on?’’’ King said.
“Even Corey and Peter, the umpires, they were dumbfounded. We couldn’t even put on tea, there was no point getting drinks available. It was finished by five past two.’’
King won the toss and chose to bowl and said the sizzling spell by Vikings paceman James Giertz, who captured 6-17 off 6.5 overs, cracked open the game.
“The work was done at the other end by James. He’s known to be the quickest bowler in our comp…what he bowled on Saturday is hard to describe,’’ King said.
“I played in my younger years a lot of serious cricket in the DDCA alongside bowlers like Andrew Chapman, Steve Meyer and Rob Walton — express bowlers — and I must say his spell on Saturday was right up there with some of those great spells I used to see in the DDCA.
“If you look at how the wickets fell there were no wickets taken in front of the wicket — it was bowled, caught at slips or caught behind.
“It’s testament to how well James was bowling with his line and length.’’
With an early day beckoning, Vikings opening batsmen Ravi Kodithuwakku (15no off seven balls) and David Nutting (3no off five) didn’t muck around.
King said Clyde players were deflated but good sports.
“They copped it on the chin,’’ he said.
“It’s just cricket. As their captain said there are no in-betweens, you either love it or hate it.’’
WGCA president Bob Taylor said it’s the fastest game of cricket in the association he can recall.
“In 36 years in this association I’ve never heard of a game finishing so early,’’ he said.
“The umpires should have only got half pay. You can quote me on that.’’
King said he was involved in a similar game when he coached Parkdale years ago.
“It’s not the funniest game I’ve been involved in,’’ he said.
“When I was coaching at Parkdale we got bowled out for 18 and then dismissed Chelsea for 14.
“I’ve been in this position before but some of the guys haven’t.’’