Malvern leggie, Ormond openers star in Craig Shield quarter-finals

The great Peter Bedford praises young spinner Laxman Appu as the Roosters go through to the semi-finals of the Subbies under-age carnival.

Ormond openers Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott and Charlie Costa.

It’s down to four.

The Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association’s Under 15 John Craig Shield has hit the semi-final stage, with Ormond, Plenty Valley, Malvern and Coburg to fight it out for a place in the grand final.

The semis will be played tomorrow, with the Monders hosting Coburg and the Valley welcoming Malvern.

The young Roosters caused something of a surprise in Tuesday’s quarter-finals when they defeated East group ladder Bayswater at Bayswater Oval.

With leg-spinner Laxman Appu taking 2-28 off eight overs, Malvern held the home team to 8-139 and then reached its target in the 39th over, four wickets down.

Aryan Mohan (46) and Max Chisholm (39) led the reply.

Appu pocketed the key wicket of Bayswater opener Tige Ridley for 39.

Ridley scored 110 in the opening round and has been among the best-performed batsmen in the carnival.

Malvern assistant coach Peter Bedford said Laxman was a most promising leggie.

“He’s come ahead in leaps and bounds,’’ he said.

“He’s a shy, retiring kid but he’s blossomed, gained in confidence and he’s bowling beautifully.

“He’s picked up wickets every time we’ve thrown him the ball.’’

His brother, Ashwin, is a left-arm opening bowler and between them the brothers have taken 19 wickets.

Plenty Valley went through to the semis by cruising past Williamstown.

The young Bats knocked over Willy for 89 in 36 overs and replied with 3-93 in 23 overs. Oliver Peake (16) missed out after cracking centuries in his previous two innings, but Braydon O’Connor (29no) steered them to victory.

Coburg ran through Yarraville’s batting to romp into the semis.

Akshith Sriram nabbed 2-9 off six overs and change bowlers Bailey Toseland (3-14 off six) and Josh Pace (2-3 off 6.2) maintained the pressure as Yarraville was shaken out for 48 in 32.2 overs.

The Burgers replied with 3-49 inside 15 overs.

Ormond openers Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott and Charlie Costa raised a century stand as the Monders proved too strong for Box Hill.

The pair put on 115, with Kirkwood-Scott hitting 74 off 63 balls, with 9 fours and 1 six, and Costa 32 off 73 balls.

Ormond made 2-129 after bowling out Box Hill for 128 – or should that be running out?

Five Box Hill batsmen were caught short of their ground at EE Gunn Reserve.

The Monders were without their ace No 3 Harry DeMattia, off playing in the Cricket Victoria youth summer series in Hamilton.