Blair Clymo a bright spot for injury-hit Swans

Casey South Melbourne has lost Tillakaratne Dilshan and Jackson Fry to hamstring injuries but it gained a promising newcomer in Gippslander Blair Clymo.

Blair Clymo made an encouraging debut for the Swans. Pic: Chris Thomas

A hammy whammy to Casey South Melbourne’s best is putting the club’s depth to the test.

Former captain Lachie Sperling was already on the sidelines with a hamstring strain, and high-profile Swans recruit Tillakaratne Dilshan and fast bowler Jackson Fry sustained the same injury on Saturday.

Quickie Nathan Lambden is also out of the team, but with a shoulder problem.

Fry was into the sixth over of an excellent new-ball spell against St Kilda when he broke down at Casey Fields.

He’d removed the dangerous Michael De Iacovo (brilliantly taken by a diving Devin Pollock behind the stumps) and state player Jon Merlo (also caught behind) and had figures of 2-14.

Dilshan hurt his hamstring when he was batting, and continued on with a runner.

He eventually holed out for 30 off Merlo’s medium pace, caught by a fielder substituting for another injured player, Saints captain Adam Crosthwaite.

Dilshan was disappointed; even taking into his account his injury, he took an eternity to walk from the ground.

And the Swans were eventually out for 165 in their pursuit of St Kilda’s 8-199 in a match reduced to 47 overs.

It was another case of a run chase falling 30 or so short.

Injured: Casey South Melbourne opening bowler Jackson Fry.

There was a rare failure for young left-hand opener Ashley Chandrasinghe, bowled by veteran St Kilda paceman Simon O’Brien for a duck.

Pollock, in at No 4, top scored with 38.

With Sperling unavailable, the Swans gave a debut to right-hand batsman Blair Clymo, who went in at No 8 and hit 31 off 31 balls, with 2 fours and 1 six, cuffed over mid-wicket off O’Brien.

He has a simple approach to dealing with the short ball: he whacks it.

Coach Brian Keogh said it was an encouraging start for the youngster, who had been averaging 34 in the seconds.

“He batted well. He looked up to the level,’’ he said.

“By the time he went in we were further behind in the chase than we wanted to be but he did well.

“He’s worked harder at training this season, he’s fitter and he’s matured in the past 12 months or so. Saturday was a good reward for him.’’

Gippslander Clymo joined the Swans in 2016-17, starting in the thirds.

Casey South Melbourne had St Kilda 4-58 after Dilshan removed Test men Peter Handscomb, caught and bowled for nine, and Marcus Harris, bowled for 21 as he attempted a reverse sweep.

But Crosthwaite, wicketkeeper-batsman Patrick Rowe (53), Josh Bartlett (24) and Todd Murphy (29) came through with timely runs for the visitors.

Dilshan collected 2-35 and Dylan Hadfield, called into the attack when Fry went off, kept it tight for 1-33 off 9.3 overs.

The clubs were playing for the Tommy Lahiff Memorial Trophy, named after the legendary Victorian sportsman who represented both clubs.

The Swans are 13th on the ladder with four wins and six losses, 12 points away from eighth-placed Geelong.