Bonbeach climbs to fourth spot in Cricket Southern Bayside Championship Division

A “quirky’’ decision to open the bowling with a former wicketkeeper helped Bonbeach to a vital win in Cricket Southern Bayside.

Bryce O'Connor opened the bowling for Bonbeach to great effect. Picture: Valeriu. Campan

The best cricket captains are those who are willing to take a risk and try something different.

And that’s exactly what Bonbeach skipper Tom Smith did against Parkdale last Saturday when he tossed the new ball to opening batsman and former wicketkeeper Bryce O’Connor and asked him to bowl the first over.

O’Connor, who bowls off-spin, not only got them out alright, he proceeded to capture 2-26 off 8 overs to put Bonbeach on the path to a vital win in Cricket Southern Bayside Championship Division.

“We were just thinking of a few tactical changes, mate, just to keep everyone guessing,” Smith said.

“I know as an opening batsman you don’t really expect it, you sort of program yourself into (facing pace bowling), so we just changed it up.”

Bonbeach keeper Akila Lakshan takes a rising delivery as Parkdale batsman Chris Wilkie flashes. Picture: Valeriu. Campan

Smith, himself a fine spin bowler, said O’Connor was better than a just a “part-timer’’.

“I’ve been telling him for while to bowl but he’s had no interest,” he said.

“He’s started doing it now and it’s certainly working.

“He’s pretty smart with his cricket IQ, he knows not to go searching for wickets, just try and bowl the same ball.”

Smith said having Bryce take the new nut created plenty of smiles on teammates’ faces — exactly what was needed after a difficult 2019-20 season.

“This year we made a conscious effort to create a happy environment and if doing strange little quirky things like that makes that happen then so be it,” he said.

Bonbeach players celebrate a wicket. Picture: Valeriu. Campan

Bonbeach batted first and put up 7-154, with former St Kilda player Matt Hilton top scoring with 49 not out (62 balls, three boundaries).

Hilton didn’t play cricket for a long time but returned to the game last season to play with mates in Bonny’s fourths.

“We tried to get him to play (in the ones) last year but he had no interest,” Smith said.

“But this year, with there being no overseas players, we really put the hard word on him to play. He’s a really good cricketer.”

In reply, Parkdale lost a wicket in the first over — O’Connor striking — and, despite the gallant efforts of tailenders James Seeary (33 off 40 balls) and Ned Vasey (19no off 11), the Two Blues were held to 9-137.

Bonbeach bowler Jack Bailey.

Jack Bailey (1-27), Smith (1-27), Tim Mulholland (1-46) and Josh O’Dwyer (1-10) all claimed a wicket.

Bonbeach sits in fourth spot with four rounds to go to finals.

It faces the three sides above it — Bentleigh, South Caulfield and Beaumaris - in the next three weeks.

“We’re quietly confident, we still haven’t hit our straps I don’t think,” Smith said.

Exciting Bentleigh teenager Tully Foot continued his sparkling form, taking 4-20 to help the Demons beat Murrumbeena.

Foot burst on to the scene when he captured 5-11 the previous round.

Bentleigh, with six wins, sits in second spot.

Carnegie star Suraj Nageswara Rao continued his golden summer with an unbeaten 72 (55 balls, 5 boundaries, 4 sixes) to steer the Neggie to victory over South Caulfield.

Nageswara Rao has scored 340 runs, at an average of 37.78.

Sam Coates and James Miller shone in Beaumaris’ win over Hampton. Coates made 73 (86 balls, 4 boundaries, 1 six) at the top of the order, while Miller cracked 55 (34 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) and took 4-17 off 5.3 overs.

Ladder: South Caulfield 36, Bentleigh 28, Beaumaris 27, Bonbeach 21, Carnegie 19, Murrumbeena 19, Parkdale 12, Hampton 11.