Premier Cricket 2024-25: Arjun Nair takes 7-59 as draw lifts Camberwell Magpies to preliminary final

One of the biggest signings of the Premier Cricket season starred on the semi-final stage as fortune shone brightly on the Camberwell Magpies, lifting the club to a prelim.

Arjun Nair has starred with bat and ball this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A prelim awaits the plucky, young Camberwell Magpies.

Advancing another week as wet weather wreaked havoc across the Premier Cricket finals on Sunday, a washout on day two forced a draw with an experienced Ringwood outfit.

Chasing Ringwood’s 9-193d, the higher-seeded Maggies put up 6-140 as the match came to a close, spelling the end of the Rams’ season.

Leading the charge was spinner Arjun Nair with an almighty 7-59 off 14 overs, taking his season wicket-haul to 33.

He’s also peeled off 541 runs.

“He’s contributed all the way through the season whether it’s with bat in hand (or ball), he’s made some fantastic knocks and hopefully that will continue as we go into another week of finals,” Cambwerwell Magpies coach David Alleyne said.

“His bowling has been quite outstanding … what I’ve observed this year is he’s actually bowling a lot of guys and getting them LBW, which I think for a finger spinner is pretty much unheard of, so that sets him apart and provides an x-factor.

“He’s a great asset to the club.”

Meanwhile, Liam Fitzpatrick’s sizzling summer continued, with the vice-captain topscoring with 45 runs to take his total to 648.

It follows 492 runs in 2023-24 and 707 in 2022-23.

“He’s done it three seasons on the bounce which is great for him and for us,” Alleyne said.

“If he’s doing this in the last three seasons as such a young man, his best cricket hasn’t actually appeared yet. I think he can be one of the better players in Premier Cricket.

“He’s a real student of the game which stands good players in good stead … he’s like that all the time, sharing his thoughts with members of the team and I’m glad to coach him.”

Alleyne was under no illusions his side fell on the right side of fortune on Sunday.

“The wet weather intervened, both teams would have liked to have played Sunday out – obviously we find ourselves in a fortunate position because we finish higher on the ladder,” he said.

“Ringwood for many years have been a very strong club … they’re very experienced and that stands for a lot in Premier Cricket, especially in the back end of the season.

“They would’ve been pretty disappointed they couldn’t get the game in, but I’d be confident they’ll be thereabouts next year.”

But the biggest test awaits this weekend with perennial pacesetter Carlton at Princes Park.

“Carlton have been very successful over a period of time … they’ve set the benchmark for everyone to follow,” Alleyne said.

“We’re excited about what the weekend will hold.

“We’ve shown we’re more than competitive against them and it’s another opportunity for our young team to gather experience.”

Preliminary final: Carlton v Camberwell Magpies – March 22-23 at Princes Park