Southern Districts’ batsmen find form in a 309-run score against rivals Tracy Village

Bottom sides Southern Districts and Nightcliff find form with the bat as the 2021 district cricket season reaches the halfway mark

Antum Naqvi fires one down for Tracy Village in their district cricket match against Southern Districts. Picture:Glenn Campbell

BATSMEN had their time in the sun on day 1 of Premier Grade cricket matches.

A 171-run fifth wicket partnership between Southern Districts pair Jackson Isakka (123) and his skipper Matt Hammond (84) lifted the Crocodiles from a precarious 4-102 to a convincing 273 before Isakka was caught.

It means Districts have 80 overs to bowl at the Villagers next week with Hammond and Dean Fry likely to have long spells at the bowling crease.

Hammond is confident his side has made enough runs.

“It should be enough, Jackson showed he is in the form of his life with the bat,’’ he said.

“Now we have to follow up with a complete performance with the ball.’’

Nightcliff opening pair Joel Curtis (71) and Ryan McElduff put on 122 for the first wicket against PINT at Marrara.

The Tigers’ 7-271 sets a tough target for the Green Caps despite the presence of Tim Garner, Josh Neill and Ben Speake in their batting line-up.

Nightcliff did itself no favours by losing 8-109 from the lofty perch of 2-162, a late order collapse that could come home to bite them.

Darwin is in control of its match against Palmerston at Cazaly’s Arena.

Their veteran quick Luke Zanchetta reduced the Power to 4-29 in the early overs.

The home side worked its way to 174 on the back of a quickfire 80 from No.5 bat Corey McDean and a gutsy 40 from bowling all-rounder Hamish Martin.

Scoreboard - Nightcliff 7-271 (J Curtis 71, R McElduff 51, B Baxter 3-87) v PINT. Palmerston 174 (C McDean 80, H Martin 40, L Zanchetta 4-46, T Andrews 2-15) v Darwin 1-71. Sthn Districts 8-309 (J Isakka 123, M Hammond 84, K Hurley 4-61) v Tracy Village.