Carlton star Charlie Curnow bowled for golden duck but called back after no ball

Charlie Curnow’s return to the cricket field is one he will remember after being bowled for a golden duck and called back due to an illegal. But one opponent questioned the legitimacy of the no ball call in the exhibition game.

Ed Curnow, Travis Boak and Charlie Curnow get ready to face off at Spring Creek. Torquay v Jan Juc. Travis Boak played for Torquay and Charlie and Ed Curnow turned out for Jan Juc. Picture: Alan Barber

It was a wild return to local cricket for Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow, who went through a rollercoaster of emotions in just one delivery of the cricket ball.

Curnow and his brother Ed turned out for hometown side Jan Juc in Saturday’s Battle of the Bridge charity series against Torquay, with Port Adelaide star Travis Boak playing for the Tigers.

Charlie Curnow was bowled first ball in the Battle of the Bridge match. Picture: Alan Barber

The two-time Coleman Medalist was skittled first ball of his innings, and had trudged halfway off the oval before being called back by umpires and opposition players for a no ball.

Torquay vice president Terry Hill said the game was played in good spirits, and questioned the legitimacy of the no ball.

“We pulled in a good crowd, there would have been about 1500 people and there were a lot of Carlton supporters and kids to see Charlie and Ed,” he said.

Wild ride for Carlton star Charlie Curnow after getting skittled for a golden duck in a charity cricket game in Torquay, but was called back due to a no ball #AFLpic.twitter.com/tRRJrUQaen

— Matt Forrest (@mattforrest29) December 30, 2023

“One of our young guys got one through him but everyone’s there to see the good sportsmen play, he well and truly deserved another go.

“I think the crowd was okay with that.”

Torquay took home the Battle of the Bridge trophy after claiming wins in the legends’ game and the senior men’s match, bowling Jan Juc out for 75 and chasing the runs down.

However the Sharks claimed a victory in the inaugural women’s match on the day.

Curnow was turned back with a dubious no ball call. Picture: Alan Barber

Hill said Boak was a star for the Tigers, with the veteran Port Adelaide midfielder showing his power with the bat.

“He opened the batting for us and smashed a few sixes,” he said.

“He got us well on the way before we lost a few quick wickets, it was a pretty comfortable chase in the end.

“But Travis and the Curnows, Charlie and Ed, were so great with all the kids that turned out, giving them plenty of time for pictures and chats on the boundary line, it really made the day special for those who turned out.”

Travis Boak bowling. Picture: Alan Barber

Torquay will now turn its focus to the GCA2 season, with the Tigers sitting fourth on the ladder with a two-day match against Marshall starting next Saturday.

Jan Juc has struggled this year after making the BPCA A1 grand final last season, and sit second last on the ladder with just two wins on the year.

They will play Barrabool in the first game back from holidays, but are only two games out of finals contention with six rounds left in the season.

Originally published as Carlton star Charlie Curnow bowled for golden duck but called back after no ball