A CRACKING and crumbling pitch has resulted in the Grassmere Cricket Association division three side’s Bendigo country week fixture against Upper Loddon ending in a draw on Tuesday.
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Both sides were bowled out for 118, with 18 of the 20 dismissals coming as leg before wicket or bowled.
GCA skipper Brian Wilson said the pitch was simply unplayable.
“It was a pretty unforgiving pitch, it was cracking and crumbling after the fifth over of the day,” he said.
“The ball would hit the pitch and stay low. That is why a lot of the wickets were LBW or guys getting bowled, it was unplayable.’
“We lost the match at the toss, if we won the toss I’m pretty sure we would have won the game. But that’s cricket and it can be bizarre at the best and worst times.”
Wilson commended the efforts of Harrison Cozens and David West.
“Harrison was good today, bouncing back from a rough day yesterday and David gave plenty again today,” the Yambuk leader said.
Cozens top-scored in the batting with 24 and took 1-23 with the ball. West was the best bowler for the division three side, taking 3-26.
Liam Balcombe was the shining light in a disappointing day for the GCA’s division two side.
Balcombe took 5-37 in the sides three wicket loss to Colac.
Stephen Blacker and Braden Hotker continued where they left off on Monday making 48 and 42 with the bat to post Colac 210 to chase.
Colac reached the target with six wickets to spare, with a 157 run opening partnership making the difference.