It was a tough day with both bat and ball for Nagambie at the weekend.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Nagambie has been bundled out of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield finals in less than a day’s play, following a stunning display from minor premier Kyabram at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
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An afternoon of bowling venom tore through Nagambie’s batting line-up, before it took less than 18 overs for Kyabram to chase down the Lakers’ lowly total at the home of the one day premiers.
A mixture of pace and a sprinkle of spin trapped Nagambie in the Redbacks’ web, as Kyabram demonstrated why it has entered this season’s finals series as flag favourites.
Five overs of pressing pace stifled runs on the board for Nagambie initially, with openers Dale Short and Jonathon Moore combining for only eight before Redbacks coach Jackson McLay caught Moore’s edge, with a pumped-up celebration depicting how vital an early breakthrough was for Kyabram.
Short would fall six overs later, albeit without any additional runs to his name, after flashing at a delivery on the off-side.
The Kookaburra took a chunk of the bat before finding the hands of Paul Parsons in slips, handing McLay his second of the innings, and placing the Lakers at 2-14.
James Auld and Mitchell Winter-Irving dug deep for a 23-run stand, but McLay of the Charlie variation would send Winter-Irving packing for 12, as a swing down the ground feathered an edge to the keeper.
Jackson McLay would take his third scalp of the day shortly after, instinctively throwing his hands at a Mark Nolan aerial drive to make a split-second caught and bowled effort, before the dangerous Zac Winter-Irving nicked off in McLay’s next over with the pill.
A patient James Auld knock (13 off 103) came to an end after being trapped LBW, while Kyabram’s Louis Sabbagh-Holt ended the innings of James Wilson and Tom Barnes with catches deep in the outfield.
Redback Samuel Langley capitalised at the tail end, bowling Brayden Biggs before James Lloyd hacked a shot down mid-off fielder Kyle Fitzgerald’s throat.
The bowling carnage had rattled Nagambie all out for 83, leaving the Lakers in for the fight of its life to cause an upset.
Kyabram fielder Kyle Fitzgerald celebrates after catching the ball.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Kyabram fielder Kyle Fitzgerald high fives in high spirits.
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Megan Fisher
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Nagambie batter Mark Nolan gets low on the front foot.
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Megan Fisher
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Kyabram fielder Lukas Hanslow clings onto the Kookaburra.
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Megan Fisher
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Nagambie batter Mark Nolan hears the death rattle.
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Megan Fisher
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Nagambie walked the long road to the sheds more times than it would've liked on Saturday.
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Megan Fisher
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Nagambie batter Brayden Biggs shoulders arms.
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Megan Fisher
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Kyabram bowler Samuel Langley makes a desperate dive for a caught and bowled opportunity.
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Megan Fisher
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Nagambie batter Tom Barnes launches a six.
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Megan Fisher
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Kyabram bowler Louis Sabbagh-Holt celebrates towards the camera.
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Megan Fisher
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Kyabram wicket keeper Billy McLay hunts a loose delivery.
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Megan Fisher
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Kyabram fielder Jackson McLay and Lukas Hanslow celebrate.
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Megan Fisher
Redbacks opener Cade Mueller was caught at point off Mitchell Winter-Irving, before Billy McLay edged one to slips - Kyabram at 2-11 after a touch over four overs bowled.
However, that’s where Nagambie’s hopes placed a full stop.
Skipper Kyle Mueller proved why he is nicknamed the Wiz, dining out on the Lakers’ bowling, hitting seven fours and a six in a quick fire 44 off 38, while Paul Parsons played into the partnership seamlessly, changing the strike when he pleased to too finish unbeaten, on 27.
Kyabram flew to victory, reaching the target in the 18th over to move onto a semi-final with a full day’s play to spare, eliminating the Lakers from flag contention in the process.
THE GAME
Nagambie 83 (Ryan Ezard 14 not out, Jackson McLay 4-25, Samuel Langley 2-7) def. by Kyabram 2-85 (Kyle Mueller 44 not out, Paul Parsons 27 not out, Mitchell Winter-Irving 1-20)