Monty Panesar saved his best performance till the very last cricket game of the season.
But the former England Test spinner’s six wicket haul wasn’t enough to deliver victory for Campbelltown Camden Ghosts.
Hosting Northern Districts in the Sydney Premier Cricket premiership round 15 match, a limited overs clash, the home side fell agonisingly short by 14 runs in chasing 223 for victory at Raby Sports Complex yesterday.
The Ghost finished with 209 after their allotted 50 overs, having lost seven wickets in the process.
Despite some good contributions from Jaydyn Simmons, who scored 43 runs, Jack Preddey (36) Aaron Yabsley (22) and the Carruthers brothers, Mitchell (31) and Nick (16), the Ghosts once again just failed to get over the line to finish the season on a high.
But Panesar’s haul at least would have put some smiles in the dressing room.
It’s well known that Panesar has been nursing an injury since arriving at Raby late last year.
But it looks like he’s getting over the injury at last and his six wicket haul is testament to that.
Yesterday the spinner bowled almost 10 overs and ended up with figures of 6 for 24.
Usually a bowling performance like that just about guarantees victory.
But this season the young Ghosts have come close to winning on several occasions and falling just short of the target.
On the bright side, they have built a youthful side that’s just going to get better next year and beyond.
And having a Test spinner in the dressing sheds wouldn’t have done any harm at all either.
