Grandell heroics underpin hefty Numurkah score with Nagambie facing a mountain to climb

Grandell struck a sublime 102 not out off 171, cranking 11 to the ropes in a crucial 148-run partnership with Riley Dawson, who also raised the bat.

Numurkah captain Matt Cline gave props to the pair, Grandell especially, following what was a needed score against last season’s grand finalist.

“Dyl’s adapted really well to his role at five, he’s traditionally been an opener,” Cline said.

“It’s a new role for him, so he’s still learning the ropes and yesterday he came out when the game was on a knife’s edge and batted superbly.

“He grinded an innings; he batted really patiently and with maturity and got reward for his effort. He was well partnered with Riley Dawson - he’s someone who needed a knock like that.

“I’m very happy for the boys to get some runs, I think they put on about 150, so absolutely rapt they could get the job done for us.”

At home, 6-265 from 80 overs wasn’t the script Numurkah wrote at the toss as the early movement belonged to Nagambie.

Matt Price was gone for just a single, a stark start against a Lakers attack that held a strong reputation before a ball was bowled.

Darren Butler’s 39 off 70 was heavy lifting against a wily bowling brigade of Mitch Winter-Irving and Mark Nolan, while alongside the South African, fellow import Raguvaran Aravinthan nudged 26 before falling.

With Kyren Dawson trapped LBW for just one, a shaky 3-65 - then 4-69 as Butler was caught - made Numurkah’s dressing room shift in its seats.

But the day would pivot on a very different kind of innings.

Grandell, thrust into life at number five this summer despite a career built as an opener, arrived when the game tightened.

His unbeaten 102 was a masterclass in patience and punishing the bad balls, while at the other end, all-rounder Riley Dawson crafted his highest total in four years and raised the blade in style.

Though he holed out on 61, James Pruden (seven not out) came in to see out the overs next to an in-form Grandell.

Nagambie’s Brayden Biggs finished with 3-48, while Nolan, Winter-Irving and James Auld each snared a pole.

“We knew that Nagambie has quite a strong bowling attack with (Mitch) Winter-Irving, Biggsy and Barney (Mark) Nolan,” Cline said.

“It was always going to be a bit difficult for the guys up top, they battled really well, they’re very consistent bowlers and Darren did a good job negating that.

“He did the hard work early and unfortunately didn’t get the rewards - the other boys down the bottom order got the rewards.”

With 265 runs in the bank to defend, Numurkah is buoyant ahead of day two.

Cline admitted he believes his side has a good enough total behind it, and offered words the Lakers won’t want to hear going into the second innings.

“Our bowling unit at the moment is really starting to gel,” he said.

“Darren’s been a very handy inclusion as a seam option who can bowl a bit of spin and Riley Dawson has been bowling really well with great rhythm.

“We’re confident enough that we can defend the total, but in saying that, they’ve got some really got some bats as well and it’s not going to be an easy 80 overs in the field.

“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge, but we’re up for it.”