SUTHERLAND first grade skipper Nathan Fitzgerald knows the task ahead for their batsmen on the second day this Saturday against Bankstown at Glenn McGrath Oval.
Bankstown made 7-401 by stumps on the opening day on Sunday at Glenn McGrath Oval. Fast bowler Tom Pinson took 2-52.
‘‘I hope I don’t have to bat,’’ said Fitzgerald, who celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday . Victory would be a belated gift.
‘‘I bat No.10 and we have a pretty strong batting line-up,’’ he said.
He said the effort of their bowlers on Saturday in the heat and ideal batting conditions was outstanding. He also praised the work of wicketkeeper, Daniel Rixon.
In other news, injured Australian Test and one day batsman Shane Watson could play for Sutherland on Sunday in the Twenty20 Cup games against St George at 12.15pm and Randwick-Petersham at 3.30pm at Coogee Oval.
In lower grade news, Sutherland second grade are 0-23 chasing 9-(dec)326. Devlin Malone took 4-53 and James Bills, took 2-84.
In third grade Sutherland dismissed Bankstown for 18-0 with Josh Zywietz taking 4-62, Chris Macnamara, 3-20, and Dylan Smith, 2-23. Sutherland were 0/24 at stumps.
In fourth grade, Sutherland made 159, James Arnold top-scored with 46 and Will Fraine 31.
In fifth grade, Bankstown made 9-304 with Sutherland’s Jayden Brown taking 3-60 and Phil Weatherall, took 2-22.
St George left-handers set trend
THE left-handers are setting the trend for St George first grade cricket team this summer.
Opener Stewart McCabe reeled off a sparkling 72 from 91 balls on the opening day’s play on Saturday Gordon at Hurstville Oval.
The property manager has laid the foundations for this summer with two half centuries in two innings.
Saints made 8 -(dec) 335 with wicketkeeper and left hander, Guy Seymour topscoring with 91. Gordon were 0-28 at stumps.
Seymour joined the club this season after stints at Wests and Fairfield Liverpool.
Seymour and McCabe put together a brisk 93-run partnership on Saturday.
Middle-order batsman Simon Chu, who has thrown away the keeping gloves this season to concentrate on his batting, made 75.
Chu is a right-handed batsman.
Play starts at 10.30am on Saturday. On Sunday, St George play two Twenty20 Cup games at Coogee Oval.
Saints play Randwick Petersham at 9am in their first game.
