It’s early days, but Sutherland have continued their impressive start to the season by storming to the top of the NSW Premier Cricket table after scoring a comprehensive victory over Campbelltown-Camden.
Sutherland are unbeaten after three rounds and share top spot with Gordon on 19 points after their 149-run victory on the second day of their two-day clash against the Ghosts.
The hosts were defending the 4(dec)-407 they made on day one thanks to centuries to captain Chris Williams (183 not out) and Jamie Brown (114).
The club’s Poidevin-Gray Shield captain Dan Fallins was the hero on day two on Saturday, picking up 6-95 from his 27 overs while Kiwi quick Lochie Ferguson (3-39) and Tom Pinson (1-29) offered good support on a flat Glenn McGrath Oval wicket.
Campbelltown-Camden looked on track to cause an upset at 3-173 in their run chase, with batsmen Nick Carruthers (76) and Grant Compton (41) well set at the crease.
Enter Fallins.
The 20-year-old leg spinner picked up both Carruthers and Compton, bowling Carruthers before having Compton caught by Peter Saroukos.
From there Sutherland were always in control as a flurry of wickets saw the Ghosts teetering at 8-193 before Ferguson cleaned up the tail with the wickets of Luke Webb and Monty Panesar.
The win sees Sutherland on top of the table heading into the first day of their two-day, round four clash with Eastern Suburbs at Waverley Oval on Saturday.
Meanwhile, regular Sutherland captain Ben Dwarshuis has received positive news after scans on a back injury last week.
The 22-year-old all-rounder suffered a flare up of an old stress fracture making his debut for NSW in the Matador Cup against the Cricket Australia XI at Hurstville Oval a fortnight ago.
Sutherland 4(dec)-407 (Chris Williams 183 not out, Jamie Brown 114) defeated Campbelltown-Camden 258 (Dan Fallins 6-95, Lochie Ferguson 3-39)
- NSW Premier Cricket
Dwarshuis is hopeful of playing on Saturday as a batsman, with a decision to be made later in the week.
He is hopeful to return to bowling soon, with opening batsman Williams expected to remain captain until his return.
In other team news, Ferguson has returned to New Zealand for the start of their domestic first class season, while Worcestershire left-armer Jack Shantry arrives in the shire this week.
Dan Rixon is hopeful of being available this week after overcoming a hamstring injury.