Mosman batters come good against University of New South Wales

Mosman Cricket Club | July 13, 2023

‘This article was produced by Mosman Cricket Club and published by the Mosman Daily newspaper in 2000-01

Saturday’s results against the University of NSW proved that Mosman’s top order batsmen are gradually overcoming their reputation of susceptibility. 

There were two big centuries and six half-centuries scored across the grades, with the 153 scored by first grader Andy Strauss a highlight of the round. 

Equally impressive was new recruit Rex Sellers who continued his giant killing run with an unbeaten 132 in third grade.  

Equally prolific at the moment is new recruit, Rishad Contractor, who shared a massive partnership with Sellers and along the way helped himself to 97 runs. Contractor has taken the club by storm this year and, at his current rate, will be in first grade by Christmas. 

All top three grades scored in excess of 300 on Saturday, which is a solid endorsement of the club’s continuing improvement with the blade. 

First grade skipper Martin Haywood was a little more circumspect in describing his team’s batting efforts on Saturday. 

“Take Strauss out of the equation and you are left with a pretty mediocre total,” said Haywood.  

“However, in many ways, it’s the sign of a good team that someone can step up to the plate and take control in a pressure situation. 

“Despite the fact we ended up with a pretty healthy total, our bowling form at the moment is such that we’ll need to fight hard to take the points.” 

In what turned out to be a celebration of the aging process, three of second grade’s old stagers – Andrew Yates, Craig Hughes and Matt Bradshaw – took the limelight on Saturday with well deserved half-centuries. 

Skipper Yates was exultant, if not a little exhausted. 

“Bradshaw is one of Grade cricket’s great pugilists,” Yates said. “He is a real fighter, and Saturday’s innings was one of his typical gutsy efforts. 

“Many people have written off Craig Hughes, but he silenced his critics with a bludgeoning innings that was reminiscent of years gone by. 

“As for me, in typical gastronomic fashion, I did nothing more than skim the cream off what was already a well-eaten cake,” said a modest Yates. 

However, Yates was more forthcoming in discussing the innings of his young cousin, Nick Grover, who scored a quick fire half-century in third grade. 

“Nick’s a sensible young player and with a bit of luck he can maintain his form and join me in second grade before the season’s out,” Yates said. 

In a sour moment for the club, second grade batter James Sinclair tripped over his warm up balls after the game and broke his hand. 

The club wishes him well in his recovery.