Lindfield District Cricket Club 1st Grade 23/24 Summary
Lindfield District Cricket Club | September 04, 2024
Overall it was a positive step forward from the 1s squad this season in comparison to the previous couple of seasons. With largely the same squad leading into the season plus a few new additions in the way of James Dallaway, overseas recruit Johny Hardman and the returning Simon Read adding extra quality to the side.
Kicking the season off with a narrow loss to Warringah despite some positive performances including Sarmad’s destructive 68 off 38 and Dan Miles 44* we just ran out of wickets falling short. The first victory came in comprehensive style against Pennant Hills, Luke Watson setting the foundations with 73, allowing other batters to play freely setting the game up for day 2. The bowling unit came out firing bundling Penno out for 39 with Dan Miles taking 5 fa 4 off 6 overs. Pushing for outright all the way to the end of the day but finishing 2 wickets short.
With positivity coming from the first win of the season, rain put an end to our run chase vs Burwood followed by a low run affair with Balmain. Again, the bowling attack did the damage reducing Balmain to 96. Nervy times at the back end of the game with us creeping over the line 7 down for another good win.
The best 2 moments for us as a side were the R10 victory over table toppers Georges River. With an excellent bowling performance on a good wicket at Bexley led by Ready (4fa) setting up a chase of 138 for victory. With a small bit of drama which seems a common theme for the batting line up, a few wobbles throughout but a determined and excellent display from DK (70) with Miles (37*) and Johny (20*) seeing the side over the line and then continuing to bat for the rest of the day until the GR skipper finally agreed to call it a day.
This performance was topped 2 rounds later as we comprehensively outrighted Auburn on their home patch. Winning the toss and bowling first on a flat wicket. Ready bowled the house down showing his class claiming another 5fa and meaning a low chase of 68 to take the 1st innings points. Watson (57) and DK (68) went about their work for the rest of the day taking us nicely past the Auburn total with the plan to set up the outright charge for day 2. This allowed Sarmad (56) to line up the Auburn attack late into day 1. Day 2 very much carried on from where we left off on day 1, with Auburn having to face the music and try to avoid outright or play for the reverse to keep their finals hopes alive. But before anything could really materialise we polished them off for 37! Sarmad 4fa and Johny 3fa.
All in all, a positive step forward and hopefully we can build on these big performances and become a more consistent side moving forward. Can’t fault the bowling attack one bit with exceptional returns week in week out. The only area of improvement is scoring more runs, we showed glimpses throughout but just struggled to put those big partnerships on when it mattered. But all things we can work on and put right for next season.
Massive thanks to all Lindfield members who have supported the side, made teas etc. along the way.
Award winners:
Batter of the year - Dave Kelly - 335 runs @ 33.5
Bowler of the year - Dan Miles - 28 wickets @ 14
1s player of the year - Dan Miles
Shout out to Ready (22 wickets), Jonny and Sarmad (21 wickets each) who were part of the bowling force.
Bring on the 24/25 season!!
Dan Miles
First Grade Captain Season 2023/24
