AFTER offering to umpire as his penalty for suspension, South West cricketer Ricky Bailey copped a little bit of flak on Saturday. He was supposed to take charge of the Woorndoo-Noorat match but the latter forfeited so instead he umpired another division three match between Simpson and Pomborneit. "Everyone had a chuckle at the start of the day because everyone thought it was amusing but after that everyone was well behaved," Bailey said. A week earlier the Ecklin cricketer was sent off because of what he believed was a disputable lbw. He let the umpire know that he didn't agree with the decision and was subsequently reported. He offered to serve his penalty by umpiring for two weeks. "It was definitely interesting," he laughed. "It was a lot harder than I thought. I had a chat to the boys after the game and a couple commented that I would make a good umpire in the future. I said I'd rather sit on the sidelines and have a couple of cans," he laughed.
THE Dunkeld Street Cricket grand final, which is next Friday, could have a high-profile guest. The theme is 'a touch of blue', with spectators and players asked to donate a gold coin to Beyond Blue. Organisers are hopeful that the national depression initiative's Jeff Kennett will attend the grand final. To do so, the Hawthorn president would probably have to give up his seat at Docklands on Friday night as the Hawks take on Western Bulldogs in round two of the NAB Cup. The match is scheduled for 7.40pm while the grand final starts at 6pm. Even if he isn't able to attend, it will be an entertainment-packed evening at 118 Wills Street, Dunkeld. Up-and-coming south-west band Indian Skies will perform while there will also be giveaways.
WARRNAMBOOL and District Cricket Association players came up against a familiar face on the opening day of Melbourne Country Week. Former Brierly Christ Church cricketer Jarran Cook is representing Geelong Cricket Association (GCA) at the carnival. While he failed to collect a wicket against his former association, the quick claimed 2-44 on day two. He plays division one for Geelong West in the GCA.
SOUTH Portland will host Drumborg Heywood for its cancer charity fund-raiser on the weekend. Each player involved has been sponsored for the Saturday-Sunday fixture, which will raise money for the good cause through a variety of donations. Glenelg Shire councillor Geoff White will donate $10 for every six in the match, while players will earn money through runs, wickets and catches from personal sponsors. An afternoon tea will be held on the Sunday, with entry by a gold coin donation. The match has extra significance, with the winner likely to be sitting second just one round out of the finals.
FORMER Colac cricketer Aaron Finch was a nominee for the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award. It was presented at the prestigious Allan Border Medal dinner on Monday. The award was open to any player who had not played more than 10 first-class matches and was under 24 on December 24, 2008.
Email a friend