When your captain, who has scored more than 10,000 grade runs, doesn’t get a bat, things must be looking up.
Campbelltown Camden Ghosts legendary skipper Jarrad Burke, who was listed to bat at number eight on Saturday at Raby against Eastern Suburbs, was content to sit outside the dressing room and watch his charges pile on the runs in round four of Sydney Premier Cricket.
One of the highlights was a superb century from opener Aaron Yabsley, which placed the home side in a strong position at the end of day one, reports JASON ELLSMORE.
Yabsley’s patient total of 138 helped steer the Ghosts to 5 for 358 when stumps were drawn on Saturday at Raby.
Yabsley faced 214 balls in striking 14 boundaries as he focused on anchoring an innings that was well supported by those who were to follow.
He was finally caught with the total at 251.
Jordan Browne, who found himself joining Yabsley when the score was 2/17, played a perfect supporting role in a 190 run third wicket partnership.
Browne’s personal contribution of 73 runs in four and a half hours at the crease set a platform for the Ghosts bats to cash in on in the final session.
And they did with two more half centuries to follow, one to English import Oliver Robinson (58) and the other to Jake Cormack (53 not out).
Robinson, a wicket keeper batsman from Kent County Cricket Club, played a full range of shots to all parts of Raby number one ground.
Jaydyn Simmons (18 not out) took the total to 358.
The addition of the Englishman adds further depth to the Ghosts order.
And which was the reason Jarrad Burke was not required to bat for once.
Play resumes next Saturday on Raby Number 1 Oval at 10.30am.
LOWER GRADES
Second grade: Eastern Suburbs 10/100 Campbelltown-Camden 7/223, L Courtney 4/38; J Lysaught 4/40; A Mishra 2/6; A Paddison 68; N Baker 37; C Dummer 30.
Third grade: Campbelltown-Camden 10/145 Eastern Suburbs 4/47, J Isakka 70*; W Salzmann 2/22.
Fourth grade: Campbelltown-Camden 10/207 Eastern Suburbs 0/0, T Patterson 51; AR Mishra 31; R Ray 28; M Clark 27.
Fifth grade: Campbelltown-Camden 10/248 Eastern Suburbs 0/0, Y Khare 62; S Johnson 52; D Abassi 37.
