A disappointing batting collapse has seen Sutherland fall to a 90-run loss to Campbelltown-Camden to start the NSW Premier Cricket first grade season.
Sutherland bowled first at Raby and did enough to restrict the hosts to 7-261 from their 50 overs. Young spinner Dan Fallins, who was added to the NSW rookie list in the off-season and will play for the Cricket Australia XI in the JLT One-Day Cup, starred with 2-40 from his 10 overs.
Openers Jake Wilson (1-45) and Tom Pinson (2-48) added vital support in good batting conditions, with teenage debutant Austin Waugh taking his first wicket in the top grade as well as two catches.
Sutherland’s run chase started strongly with captain Chris Williams (66) and Jarryd Biviano (48) moving the total to 0-83 before Biviano was dismissed. That brought Shane Watson to the crease but the Ghosts were buoyed when the former Test all-rounder was caught by Philip Wells off the bowling of Jarrad Burke for a first ball duck.
Sutherland would lose another three quick wickets to all of a sudden be struggling at 5-133. Williams’ dismissal with the score on 150 then triggered another collapse as the visitors were bundled out for 171 inside 39 overs, thanks largely to Burke’s haul of 6-16.
Williams said it was a disappointing start to the campaign with the bat after promising signs in the pre-season.
“We played well in the trials and our high expectations continued into round one,” he said.
“It was disappointing from a batting perspective because of that collapse in the middle order. We put on about 80 to start the innings and sort of lost our way with a few quick wickets.
“The bowlers did quite well. It was good for batting and [Campbelltown-Camden] had recruited a few very good, well-known players. They posted a competitive total but at the same time it was gettable. We just didn’t bat well enough to chase them down.”
Williams said 17-year-old Waugh handled himself well on debut and expected him to be better for having his first game out of the way.
“He was good. There was a bit of pressure on him. Basically in the lead up all that was mentioned was that Shane Watson was playing and Steve Waugh’s son was playing,” he said.
“It was an unwanted distraction for him but he handled it really well. He bowled well when they were trying to launch at the end of their innings. He took a wicket in his first over which would have helped him relax. He took a catch. He’s a positive member in the field and moves around well.
“He came in when we’d lost a bunch of wickets but I think you’ll see him do a good job in that six, seven, eight role [in the batting order]. I think he’ll look back fondly on his debut.”
Sutherland will look to bounce back when they host local rival rivals St George at Glenn McGrath Oval on the first day of their two-day, round two fixture on Saturday.