MPCA: The recruiting punt that delivered Baxter an ‘all-time great’

A Baxter champion delivered in his milestone match, while Crib Point, Somerville, Carrum and Heatherhill feature in a string of talking points from Saturday’s MPCA action.

Chamika Sattambi in action for Baxter. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Recruits come and go in local cricket.

Some arrive with big reputations but deliver modest results, others add great value to their new club.

Chamika Sattambi has been one of the great recruiting success stories since joining Baxter from Sri Lanka in 2014.

Baxter “took a punt” to bring out the paceman, who played first-class cricket in his homeland, to assist in its premiership quest.

“We weren’t exactly sure what we were getting,” the club said.

“But it’s fair to say it’s one of the best decisions the club has made and he has turned in to one of our all time greats.”

Chamika Sattambi has been a star for Baxter. Picture: Valeriu Campan

On Saturday, Sattambi played his 100th 1st XI game for Baxter, becoming just the 18th person in the club’s history to do so.

He delivered a vintage display, taking 4-44 off 25 overs to help dismiss Balnarring for 166 in MPCA District Round 7.

Baxter skipper Todd Quinn chipped in with 3-29 and new-ball bowler Matthew Wright took 2-30.

In reply, Baxter safely negotiated 14 overs before stumps to be 0-26, with teenager Cody Irving on three and Quinn on 16.

Sattambi has taken 198 1st Xl wickets at 15 and is a dual Provincial premiership player.

In other talking points from Saturday’s MPCA action:

*Angus Cripps smashed 76 not out off 43 balls, with 4 fours and 5 sixes, as Crib Point piled up 5-343 against Flinders. Cripps belted the last ball of the innings (off Shaun Cairns) for six. Earlier, Crib Point’s top order fired, with openers Matthew Blake (78) and Mark Cairns (34) putting on 63, No. 3 Spencer Wilton making 58 and Blake Hogan-Keogh blasting 46 off 51 balls.

*Carrum’s Finley Corrie captured 4-32 off 15 overs to help dismiss Boneo for 164. Lions youngster Gus Kennedy took a superb diving catch to give Corrie his third wicket.

*In Peninsula, Somerville opener Luke Rowe blasted 112, with 7 fours and 4 sixes, as the Eagles rushed to 4-295 off 66 overs against Seaford Tigers before declaring. In reply, the Tigers were 1-57. Rowe and Kiefer Peries (78) shared a 175-run opening partnership.

Long Island bowler Matthew Shimell. Picture: Valeriu Campan

*Long Island paceman Matt Shimell claimed 5-43 off 24 overs as Seaford was shot out for 138. Jacob Foxwell offered resistance with 59. In reply, Long Island lost 3-32 by stumps, with Matt Herbert taking two wickets and Ben Wilson one.

*Mt Eliza opening bowler Rueben Higgins took the first three wickets and finished with 4-22 to help dismiss Mornington for 96. Tom Baron (3-36) also impressed. In reply, Mt Eliza was 2-21.

*Rosebud’s Nagel brothers collected seven wickets between them as the Sharks dismissed Moorooduc for 176. Ash took 4-41 and Pat 3-43.

*In Provincial, Langwarrin opener Matt Prosser made 84 in a score of 265, setting undefeated bits biggest test yet. Langy skipper Ricky Damiano (42) was also in the runs and opener Jack Marget made 39. Dromana’s Jack and Sam Fowler and spinner Jye Voelkl took three wickets apiece.

*Pines had Heatherhill reeling at 9-102 before No. 10 Shaun Miller and No. 11 Liam Glennie produced a rearguard 10th-wicket partnership of 53 to lift the total to 155. Miller clipped 52 not out while Glennie (1 off 53 balls) dug in. For Pines, Pat Jackson took 5-49 off 22 overs and Ricky Ramsdale 2-34 off 25 overs.

*In Sub-District, Frankston YCW off-spinner Branden Fillis delivered a brilliant spell, taking 5-41 off 29 overs, to help dismiss Tyabb for 150. Dean Henwood took a brilliant one-handed catch, off the bowling of Fillis, to dismiss Yabbies skipper Justin Bridgeman.

*David Dervan (49), Patrick Beckham (56) and Anthony Craddock (33no) helped Skye put up 7-180 against Rye.