Michael Edwards rips through Camberwell to set up big Northcote win

Northcote’s Michael Edwards produced the most destructive spell of bowling Premier Cricket has seen this season, tearing Camberwell apart.

Michael Edwards in action for Northcote. Picture: Steve Tanner

Northcote quick Michael Edwards produced the most destructive spell of bowling Premier Cricket has seen this season on Saturday.

The young paceman ripped through Camberwell’s batting order, claiming 6-21, the best figures in the opening six rounds of the competition.

Edwards pipped Richmond skipper Dom Matarazzo who also claimed six wickets on Saturday, while teammate Jack Lalor has the fourth best figures of the season with 5-22 in Round 2.

Edwards had only taken two wickets this season before brutalising the Magpies, all out 59, in a 178-run, bonus point win at Bill Lawry Oval.

Six of Camberwell’s top seven fell in the mesmerising spell as Edwards bowled 10 overs unchanged.

Northcote paceman Michael Edwards. Picture: Steve Tanner

Dragons skipper Blayde Baker had a front-row seat behind the stumps and was in awe.

“He’s been building towards that, he’s bowled really well the last few weeks without luck but things went his way (on Saturday), he got his tail up and went really well,” Baker said.

“It’s an exciting way to finish before Christmas and hopefully he can keep the ball rolling afterwards.

“He bowled his 10 (overs) straight, into the wind as well, so it was a pretty impressive performance.

“The white ball tends to swing for an over or two and then he’s got some skills, over and around the wicket, rolling his fingers on the ball.

“He came back super fit this season, we know he can do it, and the weekend was him showing other people he can do it.”

Only two Magpies batsmen reached double figures as Michael Topp (2-10), Jonty Rushton (1-9) and Roby Lane (1-12) also chipped in to dismiss the visitors in just 23.1 overs.

Edwards also claimed a catch to cap his day.

Mark Phelan batting for Northcote. Picture: George Sal

Earlier, Mark Phelan continued his fine start to the season with 53 runs, his third half century of the season, while Josh Sundberg top-scored with 65.

The pair combined for a 127-run second-wicket partnership to put Northcote in the box seat.

It was a welcome return to the runs for Sundberg who missed three games through injury.

Baker praised his batting mainstays as well as his middle order for getting the Dragons to a competitive 6-237.

“Phelo’s in good nick and to see his buddy Josh back in the runs is good,” he said.

“It’s all about time in the middle for those two, they get time the runs tend to flow, they put on 100 together (on Saturday) and hopefully they can continue that.

“Jack (Lalor), Max (O’Sullivan) and Jaga (Koduru), those three have built a good little partnership in the middle order.

“They’ve been really reliable in the first six games, especially Jaga, it’s a really hard spot to bat – No.6 – in a white ball team.

“As a young kid he’s come into the team and fitted in seamlessly, a pretty good fielder as well, Im’ really excited by what he has to offer.”

The win takes Northcote to third heading into the Christmas break.

The club is wary of not repeating last season’s fadeout where they fell from second to miss the finals completely in the second half of the campaign.

“We understand we’ve only played the five games so there’s a lot of cricket to come,” Baker said.

UNDER-19: NORTHCOTE GUN READY IF WORLD CUP CALLS

LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE

GDCA: McKENNA GIVES GISBORNE CHRISTMAS PRESENT

“We found the white ball season a bit of a challenge (last season), backing up every week to bat and ball proved pretty tough.

“We identified that in the pre-season and we’ll be aiming to be a lot fresher come that end of the season.

“It’s important we keep ticking away, winning games, and then be playing our best cricket come March, April rather than December, January.”

Northcote makes the trip down Punt Road to face Prahran when Premier Cricket returns on January 8.