Sport
Northerners enter mid-season Haisman Shield break on a high thanks to Sidebottom heroics
For the second time this Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season Northerners have pulled off an almighty upset, this time coming right on the eve of the festive break.
On the road against a talented Nagambie line-up, boasting premier all-rounder and in-form Mark Nolan, the Jets had pundits eating their words once again as they escaped with a memorable 19-run victory.
Led by experienced spearhead Josh Sidebottom, who is enjoying a resurgence this summer, Northerners handed the Lakers their second loss of the summer.
Sidebottom, with the fourth-most wickets in A-grade this season, was unplayable once again as he collected classy figures of 4-18 from 20 overs.
Although Northerners had contributors everywhere with the ball, it was the club stalwart who was the most pivotal on the ground.
The Lakers’ run-chase — with a target of 176 in their sights — had recovered from early wickets, however, at 2-63 it was Sidebottom who stood up with ball in hand.
He dismissed opening bat Ben Tarran (14 runs), minutes later it was Declan Newbound who sent the dangerous Luke Nolan packing.
Mitch and Zac Winter-Irving both arrived to the crease.
The formidable duo had no answers for Sidebottom, who sent the pair back to the sheds for a combined total of seven.
Nagambie suffered a miserly 4-15 collapse and was left reeling at 6-78.
Nolan tried his hardest to resurrect the run chase, yet the Lakers’ skipper ran out of batting partners and was left stranded on 47 not out.
Sidebottom’s brother Trent joined in on the fun and chimed in with two wickets as the Jets recorded their fourth win of the 2023-24 campaign.
Jets skipper Stuart Turner didn’t shy away from his emotions when asked how special the round eight victory was over the Lakers.
“Absolutely rapt, no-one expected us to do well this season,” Turner said.
Attention quickly turned to the performance of Sidebottom.
Turner, who confessed that he missed most of the quick’s exploits of yesteryear, praised his side’s standout quick.
“I wasn’t here in his hey-day, but he is ageing like a fine wine,” Turner said.
“What he did yesterday was incredible. For a 40-year-old bloke, to run into a strong breeze and bowl 11 overs straight in his first spell, he didn’t miss the channel all day and didn’t bowl a bad ball until his last over I reckon.
“He led from the front; he’s our bowling spearhead, ... I don’t know what else to say really, he was excellent.”
THE GAME
Northerners 175 (Taylor Dunning 60 not out, Zavier Davidson 25, Stu Turner 24, Mark Nolan 7-43, Brayden Biggs 2-23) d Nagambie 156 (Mark Nolan 47 not out, Luke Nolan 26, Josh Sidebottom 4-18, Trent Sidebottom 2-21, Jake Davidson 2-25)
STAR PLAYER
Josh Sidebottom (Northerners): A tricky task to select the standout performer, with Nagambie’s skipper almost single-handedly getting his side over the line. Yet it was Sidebottom’s brilliance with the ball, an impressive 4-18, off 20 overs and consisting of 11 maidens and crucial wickets, that delivered him the best-on honours.
Although the win was defined by Sidebottom, Turner did highlight that his squad executed the team plans to perfection.
“Their batting revolves around their middle order, they have got some very good players,” he said.
“We knew that if the chance comes, we have to stick it, because we had quite a few chances against Waaia that we didn’t take. If you take those chances it changes the course of the game.
“We had a couple of stunning catches and I thought all our bowlers did a great job.
“Everyone’s executing to the team plans.
“I asked for them to deliver the plan I thought would work, if it didn’t work then it comes back on me, but everyone did their role for the team, everyone’s doing their part.”