Premier Cricket 2020-21: Carlton defeats Melbourne University in Round 1

Melbourne University had Simon Mackin and Fawad Ahmed, but Carlton’s guns fired in the opening round of Premier Cricket.

Carlton’s Matthew Wilson celebrates the wicket of Jarrod Martignago with teammate Nick Ross. Picture: Hamish Blair

Carlton delivered a clinical display in the opening round of the Premier Cricket season to topple flag rival Melbourne University on Saturday.

The Blues secured a six-wicket victory with 32 balls to spare at Princes Park, with their star pace quartet limiting the Students’ vaunted batting line-up.

The visitors mustered 219 after loss the toss, with wicketkeeper-batsman Noah Croes (39) and Andrej Yaksender (34) leading the way.

Carlton captain-coach Evan Gulbis helped himself to 4-38 from 9.4 overs, including the key scalp of the prolific Yaksender, while Matthew Wilson sent down 10 immaculate over for a return of 3-33.

New-ball pair Xavier Crone (2-48) and Cameron Stevenson (1-39) also impressed, while spinner Eddy O’Sullivan went wicketless but applied relentless pressure as he finished with 0-35 from nine overs.

Cameron Stevenson bends his back for Carlton. Picture: Hamish Blair

“They’re a really dangerous side and they’ve got some really good leadership qualities in their group,” Gulbis said of Melbourne Uni.

“The way they’re able to keep ticking the scoreboard over while they’re re-establishing new partnerships is probably the best in the competition.

“As much as we got a lot of wickets when they were trying to accelerate, they were able to keep the scoreboard ticking which got them up to that 200 mark.

“I thought we restricted and controlled where they scored really well, which I think is the key in the one-day cricket.

“To outperform them in Round 1 is a good sign for the season. We had to play some pretty good cricket to get the job done. It was all pretty positive from our point of view.”

Matthew Wilson collected three wickets in Round 1. Picture: Hamish Blair

Gulbis described Wilson’s performance as “brilliant” after declaring before Round 1 that the right-armer was arguably his team’s most dangerous bowler at his best.

He is a vital member of one of the competition’s leading attacks, logging 20 wickets at 16.55 last season.

“It’s good to see him turn into a more seasoned player,” Gulbis said.

The belligerent Brayden Stepien blasted 50 from 36 balls, including three sixes, at the top of the order to get the run chase off to a flyer.

But when he was trapped lbw by Fawad Ahmed, Carlton was 3-94 with Gulbis (19) and Mackenzie Harvey (11) also removed and the match in the balance.

But the experienced trio of Tom Smyth (67 not out), Harry Smyth (40 not out) and Nick Ross (31) completed the job with aplomb.

The Students’ headline recruit Simon Mackin stood tall on debut with 3-50 from 10 overs.

Melbourne University’s Jarrod Martignago. Picture: Hamish Blair

“With their dangerous bowling attack, part of our plan was to try and get well ahead of the rate (in the early overs) so if Fawad Ahmed or their quicks came back on later in the day and the ball was reverse swinging, at least we didn’t have to worry about run rate. We could just worry about keeping our wickets intact,” Gulbis said.

“We tried to utilise the powerplay, which we did well.

“Especially in the first round … you want to just focus on hitting nice shots and getting into your season. To not have that run-rate pressure made things a lot easier for those guys, but they batted really well.

“They were smart, they played Fawad really well and he’s a world-class bowler.

“I was really impressed … and every batter got a start and has some runs under their belt now.”

The Blues will host Geelong in Round 2.