WOMEN’S cricket gets on the front foot this weekend in Warrnambool with two limited-over games, followed by coaching clinics.
The Warrnambool and District Cricket Association is also on the verge of launching its first female competition, a schools-based weeknight program.
Local talent will be on display when Warrnambool hosts Hamilton for a Twenty20 twilight encounter on Saturday at Mack Oval, then a Victorian Women’s Cricket Association premier division match between Essendon-Maribyrnong Park and Box Hill on Sunday at Walter Oval.
The contest features Australian captain Rachael Haynes, who plays with Box Hill, and former national representative Melanie Jones.
On Monday players from both teams will return to Walter Oval for a coaching clinic.
TIM Ludeman’s successful Sheffield Shield debut with South Australia has raised some uncomfortable questions across the border.
The 22-year-old former Nestles wicketkeeper is among a growing number of Victorian glovemen who felt compelled to move interstate for greater opportunities.
It prompted former state keeper Darren Berry, a columnist with The Age, to question Victoria’s development system. Berry listed Ludeman, Adam Crosthwaite, James Crosthwaite and Peter Nevill as Victorian wicketkeepers now plying their trade interstate, while former Tasmanian Matthew Wade is behind the stumps for the Bushrangers and Ryan Carters has been recruited from Canberra as a back-up option. Berry pointed out that Adam Crosthwaite and Ludeman were nurtured through Victoria’s pathway system, yet both felt the need to move interstate.
“This is deflating for the many Cricket Victoria pathway coaches and administrators,” he wrote.
“The Ludeman scenario was the last straw for some of them.
“His half-century on Friday against Victoria would have evoked mixed emotions for many people in the Western District.”
Berry said the recruitment of Carters overlooked Joseph Loorham, a dual Ringwood premiership player regarded as the state’s next best young wicketkeeper.
“He must be scratching his head in bewilderment.
“Once again we choose to look outside our system. It appears the only way to get a game as a keeper for Victoria these days is to come from interstate.”
YAMBUK skipper Steve Gleeson put a humorous rider on his response to winning the toss against Panmure Pups last Saturday.
“We’ll bat, provided we can get into the clubrooms,” Gleeson told Pups skipper John Bant.
It seems the keeper of the keys was running late, although he arrived in time to enable Yambuk’s top-order batsmen to access much-needed equipment in the rooms.
Yambuk then rattled up a winning score of 3-184 to preserve its unbeaten record after five rounds.
HERE’S proof that no matter how bad things get, salvation may only be a ball away.
Dennington batsman Rodney Grant was thrown the ball for the last over of the Russells Creek innings last Saturday at Mack Oval.
Creek had already secured first innings points and was nine wickets down, giving Grant the chance to snare the last scalp with his left-arm medium pacers.
But the part-time bowler lost his radar and the over lasted 15 deliveries, nine of which were no balls and wides.
Many of the wides landed off the pitch, prompting his teammates to light-heartedly suggest he fake an injury.
Mercifully, Grant ended the torture by claiming the wicket of Creek skipper Ben Boyd with his final delivery.
He finished with the figures of 1-13 off one over.
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