Campbelltown Camden Ghosts have made a positive start to their 33rd season in the top grade, defeating Sutherland by 90 runs in front of good local crowd at Raby on the weekend.
Among that crowd was former Australian captain Steve Waugh, who was there to watch the first grade debut of his son Austin for Sutherland, who also had in their lineup former Australian allrounder Shane Watson and recently selected leg spinner Dan Fallins.
Ghosts Captain Jarrad Burke won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat first.
The Ghosts got off to a steady start with debutante Charlie Dummer and Aaron Yabsley looking set.
Yabsley was the first to go when the score was 42 and Dummer followed him to the exit gate six runs later.
This brought Phillip Wells, the Ghosts off season recruit, to the crease.
A renowned run scorer, Wells immediately endeared himself to the locals with a brilliant 89 runs.
Looking very content with the Raby #1 wicket, Wells played shots to all parts of the ground, including two that landed well outside of it.
Mitchell Carruthers and Jaidyn Simmons both got starts but it was the skipper Burke who entertained in the back half of the innings.
Burke’s 49 runs from 43 balls on his return to Raby contained eight boundaries.
The left hander drove nicely down the ground and was superb off his pads picking runs off the leg side at will.
The Ghosts lost seven wickets after their allotted 50 overs, amassing 261 runs in the process.
As expected, Sutherland made a good start, losing their first wicket with the score on 83.
But once the local spinners took control that opening partnership was to be the only positive part of the chase.
Batting at three, former International and current world T/20 star Shane Watson’s frustrations continued at Raby.
Watson pushed forward with hard hands to his first ball from Jarrad Burke to be caught for a golden duck at short cover by Phillip Wells.
Watson, who has a One Day International average of 40 now averages just 15 at Raby.
Burke’s celebrations with the ball were to continue for the rest of the afternoon as he combined with Nathan Baker to destroy Sutherland’s middle and lower order.
On two occasions Burke was looking at a hat-trick.
He finished with 6/16, with leg spinner Baker claiming 3/45.
Baker’s efforts drew compliments from Steve Waugh.
Sutherland were all out for 171 in the 38th over.
Captain Jarrad Burke was delighted with his team’s first up effort.
But reminded them that this was only round one and a tough summer of cricket lie ahead, starting with their round two clash against the Liverpool Fairfield Lions at Rosedale Oval over the next two Saturdays.
RESULTS – LOWER GRADES
SECOND GRADE: Campbelltown-Camden 7/311 defeated Sutherland 10/249, Vincent Hresczcuk 40; Matthew Hudson 39; Ashley Paddison 39; Flynn Parker 2/29; Joshua Appleton 2/47; Faisal Nasim 2/53.
THIRD GRADE: Campbelltown-Camden 10/174 defeated by Sutherland 4/188 Brent Hardy 61; Marcus Ashcroft 3/47.
FOURTH GRADE: Sutherland 7/206 defeated Campbelltown-Camden 8/169 Jamie Warwick 55; Jesse Kennedy 35; Roscoe Ray 2/27.
FIFTH GRADE: Campbelltown-Camden 10/175 defeated by Sutherland 3/179 Tom Patterson 30; Lahiru Jayawardena 25; Luke Miner 2/34.
• Report compiled by JASON ELLSMORE, Ghosts secretary
