Deadly Redbacks

By Gus Underwood

Nov 5, 2024

Kyabram's Jackson McLay watches as an edge skips past. Photo by Holly Daniel

CRICKET SHEPPARTON

A deadly bowling spell from English import Shaf Maroofkhel set up a dominant five-wicket Kyabram win in Cricket Shepparton’s fifth round of Haisman Shield games on Saturday.

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In his best bowling performance for the Redbacks Maroofkhel cleaned up the visiting Pine Lodge tail with figures of 4-11 off 8.3 maidens with four maidens as the visitor stumbled to be all out for 101 in 43.3 overs.

Maroofkhel was well supported by Charlie McLay who claimed 3-23 off nine overs.

Jackson McLay with 1-7 off one over, spinner Louis Sabbagh-Holt who again opened the bowling and took 1-18 off nine overs and Alec Young with 1-11 off eight completed the Pine Lodge batting rout.

Only five Pine Lodge batters got into double figures with Lachy Ludeman‘s 21 the top score.

In reply Kyabram lost five wickets covering Pine Lodge’s score in 24.1 overs.

Opener Billy McLay continued his good form to start the season, top scoring with 39 off 80 deliveries with four fours to lead the Kyabram run chase.

Kyabram's Paul Parsons and Charlie Mclay work together in the field. Photo by Holly Daniel

He shared an opening stand of 24 with Paul Parsons, run out for 11, 25 with Cade Mueller and 25 with Kyle Mueller (15) before being dismissed six runs short of the Pine Lodge total.

Then Ethan Hart and Alec Young guided Kyabram to victory.

Kyabram will attempt to extend its winning streak to five when its meets Karramomus in the first two-day game of the season starting this Saturday at Shepparton’s Vibert Reserve.

· Kyabram’s B-grade side fell apart after its frontline batters had laid the foundations for a handy score against Northerners.

Ky openers Jason Parsons top scored with 35 and shared a stand of 47 with Dylan Lopez (16) and then Paul Wickham (20) and Nic Chambers (13) kept the runs coming.

But after they fell Kyabram’s last six batters contributed only 23 runs as the team was restricted to 8-124 off its 45 overs.

In reply, Northerners covered Kyabram’s score in 32.4 over with Chambers picking up 3-12 off seven overs.