Riverina endured a tough week in Bathurst after only picking up two wins from four games in this year’s Bradman Cup.
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Murrumbidgee was well represented with Dean Bennett, Aditha Jayasuriya and Digby Lilburne flying the flag in a playing capacity while the team was coached by veteran Mark Favell.
The weekend didn’t start well for Riverina when they took on Western. Having won the toss and electing to bat the loss of an early wicket brought Bennett and Jayasuriya together.
The pair tried to get their side to a position where they were able to put a defendable total on the board with a 48-run stand before Bennett was dismissed for 32.
Jayasuriya kept going but eventually fell after a slowly compiled 16 off 90 deliveries. Lilburne had a tough time at the crease as he was run out for just five with Riverina setting Western 176 for victory off 50 overs.
While Lilburne (1/20) did pick up one wicket, it did little to slow the scoring of Western as they were able to take a convincing seven-wicket win with 10.4 overs remaining.
Their second game went more to plan when they took on Illawarra. Bennett (1/10) and Lilburne (1/29) picked up a wicket apiece as Riverina were able to restrict their opposition to just 129 off 48.2 overs.
In reply, Bennett and Jayasuriya came together again and were able to keep Riverina’s early push going with a 30-run stand before Bennett (12) and Jayasuriya (22) fell in quick succession.
Lilburne (29) was also able to get a start as Riverina got across the line of a two-wicket win with 11.4 overs remaining.
It was a tough outing for the Riverina side when they took on ACT Southern in their final group game. While Jayasuriya (11) was able to get a start before his dismissal brought Bennett to the crease.
The young all-rounder finished as top scorer before he was run out for 23 while Lilburne was also run out without troubling the scorer as Riverina were bowled out for 92.
Southern ACT was never troubled despite the loss of two early wickets as they came away with an eight-wicket win.
Bennett was the star performer in Riverina’s last game of the tournament when they took on Newcastle.
After he and Jayasuriya (15) combined again at the top of the order, Bennett once finished as top scorer with 23 while Lilburne (20) helped his side reach a final total of 136.
Bennett (5/6) then backed up his performance with the ball on his way to a five-wicket haul which saw Riverina come away with a 45-run victory.