Nothing was middling about Mooroopna’s middle order against Old Students on Saturday.
After the home side’s top four was left vexed by Students’ fine opening bowling, slots five to eight on Mooroopna’s order picked up the slack to help Luke Zanchetta’s side along to a defendable total of 226 in the opening innings of the Haisman Shield two-dayer.
They didn’t exactly have a choice.
Students’ pacers Mohammad Shahid and Jake Sutherland had the new rock doing all sorts as they had Mooroopna sweating at 3-11 and, after opening batter Jordan Wiggins edged behind on 13, the host’s air supply was running thin.
Salvation came in the form of Mooroopna’s middle-order maestros, with Jac Smith-Williams (32), Joel May (48), Henry Barrow (53) and Ben Woods (18) saving face for their side.
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Leave that: Mooroopna’s Brodie McDonald. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 9
Off you pop: Mooroopna’s Brodie McDonald walks off as Old Students celebrate his wicket. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 9
Charging in: Old Students’ Jake Sutherland. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 9
Front facing: Mooroopna’s Jordan Wiggins. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 9
Calm things down: Mooroopna batters Jordan Wiggins and Brodie McDonald. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 9
Have a shy: Old Students’ Jamie Carr. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 9
So close: Old Students’ Jake Sutherland. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 9
On alert: Old Students wicket keeper Maninderjit Singh. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 9
Up and about: Old Students celebrate a wicket. Photo by Megan FisherBarrow’s half-century was especially important, taking his time to craft the knock from 105 balls before Felix Odell sent one crashing into his pegs.
If the middle-order muscle wasn’t enough, a tail wag in the form of a 36-run 10th-wicket partnership from Aaron Difede (27 not out) and Zanchetta (20) carried Mooroopna through to 226.
Students had the most joy from Odell as he collected 3-28, while Sutherland (2-25) and Shahid (2-31) starred in a change-heavy bowling attack.
Callan McCabe’s charges will feel they’re a solid chance to earn their first win on Saturday when returning to Mooroopna Recreation Reserve for a crack at the host’s total.
THE GAME SO FAR
Mooroopna 226 (Henry Barrow 53, Joel May 48, Jac Smith-Williams 32, Felix Odell 3-28, Jake Sutherland 2-25, Mohammad Shahid 2-31) v Old Students
However, recent history doesn’t favour Students.
Throughout the side’s five games the most Students have mustered is 196 against Tatura in round four.
The Kialla Park residents have only batted out the full 45 overs in the one-day format once, but will feel a stronger chance with 80 overs to play with against Mooroopna, which is yet to bowl out its opposition from three attempts this season.
Mooroopna has just two inside the competition’s 70 most efficient bowlers for the season stats wise ― May and Zanchetta ― and will need the full sweep of quicks and spinners to do their part if it is to enter the Haisman Shield’s top six for the first time in 2023-24.