DALLAS Armitstead's cricket comeback involved a memorable passage of play at Wangoom Recreation Reserve.
Playing with Purnim's B grade team, batting partner Brandt Walther played a lofted drive over the head of the bowler which plugged in the lush outfield.
Up to three Wangoom fielders converged but were unable to recover the ball, allowing Armitstead and Walther to run six.
"We could have run 10," Armitstead laughed. "Wally wanted me to keep running but I wouldn't. I had an idea you could only run six."
Armitstead also conceded he was physically constrained after the sixth run.
The former Wesley CBC all-rounder hasn't played cricket for two years but has remained active during the football season.
It was a timely break after more than two decades of cricket competition but running six was still a first for the experienced batsman.
Armitstead and Walther were on the winning team, with Purnim defeating Wangoom by 34 runs.
POST-GAME celebrations for another winning GCA team took on a liberal outlook when one of the players discovered he'd snared a share of the $95,000 Caulfield races quadrella last Saturday.
According to the cricket grapevine he pocketed more than $19,000. Teammates were able to squeeze some free drinks out of the happy punter.
THE debate over alcohol sponsorship for the Sungold Twenty20 Cup has overshadowed the introduction of a new under-age competition for 2011.
An under 18 cup will also be decided next year, with $3000 prizemoney for the winner, $1000 to the runner-up and $500 for losing semi-finalists.
It will go some way towards offsetting the impact of alcohol sponsorship for the senior competition, which limits players under the age of 18 to the elimination rounds.
The organising committee also deserves credit for improving prizemoney in 2010.
The inaugural cup was a $10,000 winner-take-all deal.Next January there will be $10,000 for the winner, $2500 to the runner-up and $1000 for the losing semi-finalists.
Hot spot signs will also be erected, with a $1000 prize for batsmen who can hit them on the full during the quarter and semi-finals.
A motor vehicle is on offer for the final, scheduled to be decided on January 26 at Allansford.
CONFUSION reigned, albeit briefly, leading into the abandoned round of Portland and District Cricket Association matches last weekend.
A local media outlet reported on Friday the round would go ahead, which at the time of going to press on Thursday was correct.
The decision to call off play was made late on Thursday and conveyed to clubs, with the subsequent news report creating mixed messages for cricketers and officials.
A lack of growth of grass around the wickets led to the PDCA cancellation call.
A CRACKDOWN on visa applications is having far-reaching implications for south-west cricket.
Sri Lankan recruits were sought by at least three teams across WDCA and GCA but all look unlikely to go ahead.
READERS, players, associations and clubs are encouraged to contribute items for inclusion in this column.
Suggestions can be made with a call to the sports team on 5563 1850 or emailed - please mark for att: cricket column in header - to wseditor@standard.fairfax.com.au
Email a friend