CSB 2024-25: ‘Freak accident’ puts Bonbeach star Tom Smith out of finals

A Cricket Southern Bayside premiership contender has suffered a double blow ahead of finals, losing two of its best players — with one suffering a painful injury while celebrating.

Tom Smith of Bonbeach bowls. He’s suffered an achilles injury. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

A “curve ball” has been thrown in the direction of Bonbeach ahead of the Cricket Southern Bayside Championship Division finals.

The Sharks, who cemented second spot with a gutsy win over Mordialloc on Saturday, have lost arguably their best two players for the remainder of the season.

Opening batsman Tom Smith ruptured his achilles while celebrating a wicket against Beaumaris last month, while overseas star George Thomas has secured a two-year County contract and will fly back to England on Saturday.

Their absence will test Bonbeach’s player depth in the finals which begin on March 15.

“Tom and George are two of our best players,” Bonbeach captain Callum Dodson said.

“It’s another curve ball thrown at us.”

Tom Smith of Bonbeach slshes at one. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Smith was bowling when he suffered the serious injury on February 8.

He’d just taken a wicket (caught by Dodson) when he turned to celebrate and his foot got stuck in the wicket.

“It’s a bit of a freak accident,” Dodson said.

“He narrowly avoided snapping the whole thing which would have been surgery and 12 months out of the game. So it was sort of lucky in a way that it wasn’t that, and it’s about a three month process where he’s in a moon boot and building it up after that.

“He will be fine for the start of next season.”

Smith and Thomas are Bonbeach’s top two leading run scorers this season with 380 and 373 respectively.

Reigning premiers South Caulfield sits atop the CSB ladder with one round remaining.

Daniel Mueller and captain Callum Dodson. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Dodson said losing both players was “disappointing’’ but he is backing his players to rally.

“I’ve put it to the group...there is an opportunity for guys to step up even more,’’ he said.

“We showed against Mordialloc that we can do it. We’ve got a very good side that can go all the way.’’

First-season skipper Dodson said the Sharks play by the motto, “we can win from any position’’.

“It doesn’t matter what’s thrown at us, we stick together and believe anything can happen,’’ he said.

Dodson rated Bonbeach’s win over Mordialloc — when second spot on the line — as “one of our better wins’’.

“It was more of a gutsy win and a grind,’’ he said.

“We are building.’’

Timothy Mulholland bowling. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Defending 164, Bonbeach’s hopes looked forlorn when Mordi motored to 0-40.

But gritty bowling by Timothy Mulholland (3-27), Dodson (2-29), Daniel Mueller (2-28), Robbie Lancaster (2-26 off 15 overs) and Thomas (1-13 off 10 overs), in his last game, saw the Sharks dismiss Mordialloc for 151 in the 70th over.

“It revved us up a bit with it being GT’s last game, and the boys performed,’’ Dodson said.

“It was probably one of our best wins we’ve had. It was just a grind, a real gutsy win.

“I’m proud of the boys that we did that on the weekend.’’

Bonbeach has won four of its past five matches.

CSB Championship Division ladder: South Caulfield 55, Bonbeach 49, Mentone 40, Mordialloc 38, Beaumaris 30, Murrumbeena 23, St Bridgid’s/St Louis 20, Bentleigh 16.