Katandra’s first taste of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield two-day format since before the pandemic has suited the Eagles well, putting up an imposing first innings total.
Shepparton United had difficulties stifling the Katandra offence, with all but one of the eight Eagles batters to take the crease posting at least 20 coming off their bye.
Talon Wilson, the exception to the above statistic, opened the day’s play with a display of brick wall batting (three off 51 balls) that would make even the great Cheteshwar Pujara’s eyes water.
Andrew Riordan would later take charge of the environment around him, pushing the United attack to all corners of the ground, reaching a century and ensuring Katandra’s total figure was imposing.
THE GAME
Shepparton United v Katandra 6-292 (Andrew Riordan 104, Ben Pedretti 30, Hadleigh Sirett 30, Sam Nash 4-90)
Shortly after raising the bat for the second time, Riordan’s antidote would be Sam Nash, caught on 104 as the third of four Nash victims on the day.
Eventually batting the day out with relative ease, posting 6-292 at stumps, the Shepparton United outfit has its work cut out.
However, boasting Lightfoot Medal favourite Rehan Bari means Katandra must recognise the opposition, as Ryleigh Shannon said.
“We were all pretty keen to get back into the longer form and hop in the white clothes again,” Shannon said.
“It was nice being able to build our innings without any pressure from run rates and just go about it our way.
“Rehan’s wicket is going to be pretty key to us winning the game. Two-day cricket is different because you can’t just contain him, you have to actually get him out.”
And how about Riordan’s effort to keep the scoreboard ticking over, even as Nash threatened to constrain the Eagles?
“Andrew was actually under a gastro cloud coming into the game, so it was lucky having him in the middle,” Shannon said.
“You always go into an 80-over game wanting to bat the day out and I was happy with how we got through the tough early overs.
“We were able to cash in later in the day after Sam Nash bowled well.
“We built up repeated partnerships that exceeded 30 or 40 runs, which is something that we work on.”
So, then, the focus for Shannon and his charges will shift to the other side of the ball.
Shannon says the intent remains rigid regardless of conditions on the day.
“We’ll be looking to take wickets up and down the day, but if they don’t come early, that’s okay,” Shannon said.
“It’s a nice batting deck at Princess Park. Our game plan won’t change; we have to stick with disciplined lines.”