Week 18 – The Opening Spell

Anthony Sams celebrates his 543rd dismissal behind the stumps // Peter Bannigan

First Over  

First ball – Waugh Goes for More  

Austin Waugh hit his third century (117*) of the season on Saturday against UNSW in men’s first grade and on Sunday, doubled up with another, finishing with 139 off 147. Waugh amassed 256 runs over the weekend, taking his tally to 641 for the season. On four occasions, Waugh has got to a half-century and four times, he’s gone on to score a ton. With his performance on Sunday, Waugh becomes just the fourth player to score four centuries for Randwick Petersham in a single season.  

Second ball – Kumar’s on the Run  

Brewer Shield resumed over the weekend and Blacktown’s Athira Kumar marked it with a milestone. With her 55 against Sydney, Kumar surpassed 1000 runs (across all grades) for the season. Ever consistent with the bat in hand, Kumar has scored 371 runs in Brewer Shield at an average of 41, to sit third on the tally for runs and 11th overall in McDonald’s Women’s Premier Cricket. With three games regular season rounds to play, just how far can this young dynamo go? 

Third ball – Miller’s Masterclass  

Kelsey Miller showcased her batting prowess for Parramatta, scoring an impressive 106 off 97 against Penrith in women’s second grade. Striking at 109, Miller propelled her side to a successful chase of 151 with eight wickets to spare.   

Fourth ball – Sams Surpasses Record  

Two decades in the making, Randwick Petersham’s Anthony Sams made history at Coogee Oval on Sunday, becoming the most successful wicket keeper in Sydney first-grade history after claiming his 543rd dismissal. Level with Ernie Laidler ahead of Randwick’s limited-overs semifinal clash with Gordon on Sunday, Sams broke the former St George keeper’s 67-year-old record with his only catch in the 124-run victory. If finishing the day with 484 catches and 59 stumpings for a total of 543 dismissals wasn’t enough, Sams scored his 42nd half century (seventh of the season) and surpassed 9000 first grade runs.  

Fifth ball – McTaggart and Thompson Get the Job Done for Northern District 

In a commanding performance in women’s first grade, Northern District showed their strength with a decisive 99-run win over Bankstown. Highlighted by the exceptional batting of Kate McTaggart who finished unbeaten on 95, and a powerful bowling performance including a five-fa to Eliza Thompson, Northern District proved too much for Bankstown to handle. McTaggart found the boundary ten times to see her side post 304, before the bowling trio of Emma Lamb (2-33), Ava Drury (2-29) and Thompson (5-37) dismantled the Bankstown line-up. 

Sixth ball – Monoghan Marks Milestone 

In notching up his 200th match, Gordon’s Dave Monaghan got to work against Sutherland in men’s fourth grade. Falling just short of a hat-trick in the 57th over, Monoghan went on to finish with a six-wicket haul after chipping in a steady 32 with the bat in hand. 

Second Over  

First ball – Zakostelsky’s Wicket Fest 

William Zakostelsky loves taking wickets and against Eastern Suburbs in round 13, he picked up nine in a third grade fixture. The Western Suburbs talent collected 4-33 in the first innings, to see Easts restricted to just 170 before he went one better in Easts’ second innings, finishing with 5-44 to see Wests finish with a two-wicket win.  

Second ball – Luff and Malgioglio Lead Parra to Victory 

In women’s first grade, Parramatta enjoyed 98-run victory over Sydney Uni, courtesy of Sophie Luff’s 84 and an all round performance from Isa Malgioglio. Batting first, Parramatta posted 234 as Luff peppered 11 boundaries and Malgioglio finished unbeaten on 23. In response, Sydney Uni struggled against a disciplined attack, led by leg-spinner Malgioglio who wreaked havoc with figures of 5-36 from her 10 overs - including back-to-back wickets in the 26th over.  

Third ball – Cordingley’s Steller Effort Not Enough for Bankstown 

Bankstown’s Sam Cordingley might’ve been absent from last week's top performers due to a technical issue, but he’s firmly there now after the conclusion of round 13 in men’s fifth grade. Cordingley took 5/20 in the first innings to see Hawkesbury bowled out for 98 and followed it up with 3/13 in the second innings. Despite Cordingley’s best efforts, the Hawks ran out eventual winners.  

Fourth Ball – Marasini's Five-Fa  

Campbelltown Camden went two from three in McDonald’s Women’s Premier Cricket over the weekend, with their dominant second grade victory highlighted by a 5fa from Kritika Marasini. Grace Augustine (44) and Aimee Bishop (54*) top scored for the Ghosts, as they went on to post 175. In response, Sydney Uni struggled from the get-go as Marasini claimed five wickets for just 11 runs across her ten overs to see them all out for 80.   

Fifth Ball – Coogee Oval Runs Riot 

Coogee Oval was alight with runs in round 13 of men’s second grade, with batters from UNSW and Randwick enjoying their time in the middle. Opener Annay Chauhan was the first to set the game alight, smacking an unbeaten 147, including 14 fours and one six as UNSW declared at 8/347. Ready for the chase, Randwick’s Ross Elliot (113) and Ashley Burton (112) laid the perfect foundation for the team before Ben Mitchell (66) and Thomas Coady (38) finished the job, with seven wickets in hand.  

Sixth Ball – Finals Set for Limited-Overs Cup  

The first grade Limited-Overs Cup final has been locked in for February 23, with Parramatta and Randwick Petersham set to go head-to-head for the title. Randwick had a dominant 124-run victory over Gordon to progress through to the final, while Parramatta defeated St George by one wicket in their semi final clash. A location for the fixture is yet to be determined, with CNSW to preview the event later this month. 

Official Partners