More wickets for Adam McMaster as Dandenong routs St Kilda

Adam McMaster has been in hot form for the Panthers since returning to the top team, grabbing 12 wickets in three matches.

Adam McMaster lets the white ball fly against St Kilda. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It has been a dreamy return to Dandenong’s First XI for fast bowler Adam McMaster.

In his first match back he took 4-36 against Footscray

In his second he grabbed 4-19 against Camberwell Magpies.

And on Saturday he captured 4-29 off 10 overs as Dandy routed St Kilda at Shepley Oval, winning by nine wickets and jagging a bonus point.

McMaster and all his teammates thought he should have finished with five wickets: what they thought was a regulation catch behind for wicketkeeper Aaron Fernando was turned down by the umpire in the right-armer’s last over.

Test quickie James Pattinson was among the players quick to ask the umpire why.

It cost Dandenong little. Soon after Pattinson had Todd Murphy caught behind, then ran out No 10 Will Lovell after Lovell, at the nonstriker’s end, scampered down the pitch and called Simon O’Brien through for a single.

Adam McMaster has taken 12 wickets since returning to the top team. Picture: Valeriu Campan

But poor O’Brien was too busy dealing with a crack to his right hand, his thumb apparently bearing the brunt of Pattinson’s delivery.

O’Brien is a tough fellow.

Thirty minutes later he was opening the bowling with his left-arm pace, the thumb strapped up.

The Saints could muster only 106, the innings disintegrating after openers Michael De Iacovo (24) and Ben Davies (17) were dismissed by Suraj Randiv, De Iacovo bowled, Davies LBW.

On his 36th birthday, former Sri Lankan Test offie Randiv collected 2-21 off his six overs. He also took a screamer at first slip, diving high to his right and holding on to an edge from Jack Gilbert (3) off McMaster.

James Pattinson in the field for Dandenong. Picture: Valeriu Campan

No 3 Josh Manning top scored with 30 for St Kilda before playing on to McMaster.

No 4 Jon Merlo, captaining St Kilda in the absence of Adam Crosthwaite, was bowled by a beauty from medium pacer Peter Cassidy.

It was the first ball of Cassidy’s spell, and he removed No 5 Patrick Rowe (five) too on his way to 2-12 off six overs.

No doubt he’ll be telling his plumbing pal and St Kilda coach Glenn Lalor all about it this week.

The Panthers replied with 2-107 in 29.5 overs, with skipper Tom Donnell racing to 41 off 46 balls with an ease that suggested he had come across a bat that was all middle.

Brett Forsyth, enjoying a golden run of form since his return to the opening slot, was 47 not out.

McMaster, 24, left Dandenong abruptly three years ago but returned this season after a handful of games with Melbourne in 2019-20.

“I came back with the goal of just enjoying my cricket, rather than putting the pressure on myself like I would have a few years back,’’ he said. “It’s working out pretty well so far.’’

He said he had left the Panthers because he needed a break from cricket.

“I put my head down with work, and I’ve built a house now,’’ he said.

“But I missed it, to be honest. I just felt it was the right time to come back and try again.’’

Dandenong keeper Aaron Fernando watches as St Kilda batsman Josh Manning sweeps. Picture: Valeriu Campan

As he spoke he was moving the sight screen as Forsyth and Donnell negotiated the new ball.

Pattinson’s return to Shepley Oval brought quite a few spectators in for the early overs of the match.

McMaster enjoyed bowling in partnership with him.

“It’s awesome, and it gives you an advantage, really. They (batsmen) can’t score off him so they try to play a few more shots at the other end,’’ he said.

Bella, owned by Dandy team manager Paul Brimmer, caused a stir at the drinks break when she took a bite of the match ball, umpire Tim Wendelken sprinting to reclaim it.