Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association: Bayswater hammers 7-343 against Ivanhoe on wet day one

While most Melbourne cricketers were consigned to the sheds by some pretty wet and wild October weather, Bayswater had a day in the sun.

While most Melbourne cricketers were consigned to the sheds by some pretty wet and wild October weather, Bayswater had a day in the sun.

Not only did the Waters manage to get a hit at Bayswater Oval but they received their full compliment of 80 overs and proceeded to monster the Ivanhoe attack to the tune of 6-343.

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Ben Osborne monstered 146 not out for Bayswater this week Picture: Hamish Blair

The visitors called correctly at the toss of the coin and sent the Waters to the crease first.

Openers Travis Nightingale and Alex Ferguson saw off the early threat and any dampness in the wicket, posting 41 before Nightingale was caught for 32.

At 1-78, the Waters were well on the way to making Ivanhoe rue its decision to take the ball first when Tim Sugumar, Ferguson and Jack Pollard fell in quick succession.

Bayswater slipped to 4-90 and it was again a two-horse race.

But, enter Ben Osborne.

The seasoned campaigner knuckled down early and once he was in, set about compiling an unbeaten 146 that took the game away from the visitors.

The former skipper’s cracking knock came off 192 balls in 258 minutes and featured 15 fours and three sixes.

And it came just a week after he fell for 99 against Balwyn in the season-opener, leaving him with the more-than handy average of 245 after the first two knocks.

Travis Nightingale was all-important at the top of the order

At the other end, Matthew Gale scored 31 off 69 balls while promising young Joshua Hudson knocked up an unbeaten 66.

Bayswater skipper Blair Allen was delighted that his side had given itself such a strong start to the game.

“It was very important to get that score, particularly at Bayswater,” he said. “You need to get at least 260 to have any confidence because next week will always be a better wicket and next week will always be a quicker outfield.

“Bayswater Oval holds up pretty well in weather like that and the curator did a really great job during the week.

“Our two openers got us off to a really good start and that was so important.”