A stunning day of bowling dominance and stifling heat produced one of the most memorable results in recent Griffith Cricket Association first grade memory last weekend, when Diggers were dismissed for just 27 during Exies’ puzzling 74-run win at Exies 2.
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The contest lasted just 37 overs but provided both sides with genuine sniffs of claiming a positive result and putting the game to bed early.
There were few batting highlights for either side, even for eventual victors Exies when they won the toss and began their innings.
Diggers were on the right track early, keeping the pressure on the Exies batsmen with some quality bowling.
The match resembled a T20 clash, with the Exies batsmen content with hit-and-giggle tactics under the influence of the stifling 43-degree heat.
A lack of patience and commitment suited the Diggers bowlers, who chipped away taking regular wickets and escaping the sun for the relief of the shade in just over 20 overs.
Tom Spry (15) combined with eventual match top scorer Jamie Winkler (54) for a 45-run partnership, taking Exies to 3/75 in a rare showing of discipline batting.
But even Winkler fell victim to a firing Diggers attack, becoming one of Dom Brown’s three victims (3/9) on the way to Exies losing 6/26.
While the pair’s work would eventually prove to be enough to get their side over the line, Exies would have still headed out into the field questioning whether the were up to defending a meagre total of just 101.
Theo Valeri finished with the best figures for Diggers, claiming an impressive 4/22 despite being comparatively expensive.
The real fireworks were yet to come, as Diggers’ confidently attempted to chase down what seemed a sub-par total.
Exies’ bowlers Marc Tucker, Duane Ashcroft and Spry echoed their counterparts and exploited the conditions to completely blow Diggers’ out of the water.
The trio reduced Diggers to a measly 6/11, dismantling the top and middle order to not only set up victory, but put themselves in with a chance of breaking some serious records.
Stalwart Trevor Richards (16) was the only method of resistance during the chase, but even he couldn’t make up for the disastrous start.
Tucker (3/6), Ashcroft (2/5) and Spry (4/7) cleaned up Diggers in just 16 overs for an unbelievable total of 27.
The other first grade contest between Hanwood and Coro was a day-night contest, which was called off after temperatures triggered the heat rule before the scheduled 4pm start.
