Essendon secures its first win of the Premier Cricket season, beating Camberwell
Essendon’s blend of youth and experience fired it to a breakthrough win on Saturday, the Bombers’ next generation showing its potential.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Essendon secured its first win of the Premier Cricket season as it continues to promote its exciting young talent.
James Seymour’s return and Liam Bowe’s wizardry with the ball guided the Bombers to a 50-run win over Camberwell at Windy Hill on Saturday.
However, it was the continued improvement of the club’s generation next that had coach Ash Cavigan most pleased.
Opening bat Isaac Willett scored his second half century of the season and hasn’t scored less than 33 in the opening month of the season.
In his second First XI match, Musa Hussain took 2-33 to back up his three scalps on debut, while Cam McClure and James O’Donnell picked up one each.
Ryan Stingel chipped in with important middle order runs and wicketkeeper Nathan Shoesmith pouched five catches.
“It’s good for the boys, it’s been a challenging few weeks,” Cavigan said.
“We got pretty close (on Saturday) to putting a full game together and then the win was obviously good reward for the guys.
“Full credit to Isaac, he’s a really good personality in our team, he’s been doing a lot of work and now he’s got continuity.
“He’s got that spot at the top, he knew at the start of the year it was his to lose and maybe that stability matched with hard work has brought it all together.
“He’s a really good example for all our boys and hopefully this is just the start of a really strong five to seven years at Essendon.
“Young Musa has been terrific, he’s played two games and he’s been our best seamer both games.
“He does his job, bowls consistent areas, and really risen to the level.”
Willett played just five First XI matches last season, stuck behind Seymour and Aaron Ayre, but has made the most of his opportunity this season.
Scores of 42, 79, 37 and 58 have him sitting seventh in the Premier Cricket run-scoring charts, averaging 54.00.
Defending 4-252, Bowe then turned the screws with the ball.
The Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder spinner ripped through the Magpies’ middle order, finishing with figures of 4-33.
Camberwell dismissed for 202, Shubham Bhargave top scoring with 54 before being caught behind off Bowe.
“Liam has been super important for us,” Cavigan said.
“He’s bowling as well as I’ve seen him bowl, I see some guys bowling spin in the Big Bash and then look at the way Liam is bowling and wonder if he’s still on the radar.
“He’s all class, they should definitely be having a look.”
Bowe jumps up to seventh on the Premier wicket-taker charts with nine scalps at 17.56.
Spearhead and vice-captain Tom O’Donnell missed the win due to injury but the Bombers hope to have him back for the last game of the year against Melbourne.
Returning from Big Bash League duties, Seymour top-scored with 67, while Michael Hill scored 52 – his first half century since January 23.
“It was good to get that text message on Friday night that Jim was available,” Cavigan said.
“Hilly was back in the runs, which was good, young Stinger (Stingel) we moved up to four and he got a good 37 after 30 the week before, that’s what we’re looking for.
“Our starts have been really good.
PREMIER: SINGH LEFT STRANDED IN BIZARRE FINISH
LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE
PREMIER: WHY MAGPIES HAVE IMPRESSED NEW COACH
“Carlton we were 2-80, Prahran we were 0-140 and Kingston 0-70, so we knew we were getting that part right and the fix was getting the middle order right.
“We’ve had glimpses of really good cricket but had a poor 10 over block and that’s translated to what looks on paper like heavy losses.”
In more good news, Will Blair scored 115 in Essendon’s Second XI loss.
Essendon face Melbourne in the final game before the Christmas break and then Casey-South Melbourne in the new year.
Premier Cricket: Men’s and women’s Team of the Week
Young guns lit up Victorian Premier Cricket in men’s and women’s sections. We’ve named our teams of the week. SEE THEM
Star leg-spinner ‘should be starting to be looked at’
Carlton all-rounder Connor Rutland has tipped praise on the Blues’ star leg-spinner, saying Saturday’s match winning spell was further proof he has what it takes at a higher level.