Central Park-St Brendan’s’ Jack McCarten smacked his first ton as the Tigers defeated Katandra.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Another sublime batting performance has kept Central Park-St Brendan’s near the apex of Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield ladder.
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Facing Katandra on the Eagles’ home deck, the Tigers chased down a sizeable total of 7-202 at a canter to surge into second with one game remaining before red ball cricket commences.
Jack McCarten’s maiden unbeaten ton, paired with a classy knock of 77 not out by Connor Hayes, landed Tyler Larkin’s side the chocolates – though it wasn’t the only century scored on the day.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Tigers took the new ball on a wicket that offered plenty of runs.
Katandra’s Corey Hickford steams in at pace.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Central Park-St Brendan’s batter Tyler Larkin watches the ball closely onto the bat.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Katandra fielder Corey Hickford holds onto a screamer.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Central Park-St Brendan’s Rhiley Lau leaves that one for the keeper.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Katandra fires up after an early wicket.
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Megan Fisher
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Katandra’s Matthew Long throws it in to wicket keeper Mitchell Black.
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Megan Fisher
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Katandra’s Mitchell Black keeps Jack McCarten on his toes.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Central Park-St Brendan's Connor Hayes punches one through the gap.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Talon Wilson was the first to go on nine before Ben Pedretti and Corey Hickford knuckled down and forged an important 78-run partnership to tick the Eagles into triple digits.
Hickford was forced to walk on 33 when he heard the death rattle off Dwain Vidler’s bowling and, though his batting partners came and went, Pedretti powered on.
And on.
And on.
Katandra’s number three eventually punched through for his first ton in a decade, his last double bat raise coming in the 2015-16 season while playing for Northerners.
Pedretti was finally outfoxed with three overs to play, caught and bowled by Ramadan Yze on 105 (14 boundaries) as the Eagles ended on 7-202.
Yze was the Tigers’ best with the ball, snaring 4-29 to shoot atop the league bowling charts.
Central Park-St Brendan’s’ batting innings mirrored Katandra’s at the start as opener Rhiley Lau departed for nine and, when Larkin was also dismissed cheaply, the Eagles had a lock on their prey.
But when you’re on, you’re on – and McCarten and Hayes were in the mood.
The pair smacked balls to all corners of Katandra Recreation Reserve, putting the Eagles’ bowlers to the sword on an absolute road with neither faltering on the way to surpassing the required runs.
Central Park-St Brendan’s trailed by a run with six-and-a-half overs left to play and, with McCarten on strike, the opener signed off by sending one to the ropes to bring up his first century and finish on 102 not out.
Hayes’ near run-a-ball 77 makes it four consecutive half-tons to start the season and, with the Tigers averaging 204.5 runs a game, Larkin’s charges are in fine form with the willow.
They play a winless Pine Lodge in the final one-dayer, while Katandra will look to bounce back when travelling to face Old Students in round five.
THE GAME
Katandra 7-202 (Ben Pedretti 105, Corey Hickford 33, Ramadan Yze 4-29) lt Central Park-St Brendan’s 2-205 (Jack McCarten 102 not out, Connor Hayes 77 not out, Karl Rosevear 1-20)
STAR PLAYER
Jack McCarten (Central Park-St Brendan’s): McCarten bounced back from a duck the previous week in the best possible way, crafting a tempered ton when the Tigers needed someone to stand up.
