Manly-Warringah have thrashed Sutherland to condemn the Sharks to a second consecutive defeat to start the season.
Defending 348 on day two of their two-day, round two fixture on Saturday, Manly ripped through Sutherland’s batting line-up to roll the Sharks for just 131 in reply.
The covers had been on for two days at Glenn McGrath Oval to protect the Caringbah wicket from the heavy rain that fell in the shire at the end of last week. That meant less rolling than usual and caused the wicket to sweat, ensuring bowling-friendly conditions for the visitors.
Michael Visser (4-38) and Joel Foster (4-16) were the stars for Manly, taking eight wickets between them as they destroyed Sutherland’s top and middle order.
Sharks openers Jarryd Biviano (13) and captain Chris Williams (6) were back in the pavilion with the score on 20.
That brought Steve Smith to the crease, with the former Australia captain in his second match back in grade cricket after his suspension from international and domestic cricket for his role in Australia’s ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March.
But Smith wasn’t to be as successful as his 85 in the opening round.
Smith faced 24 balls in his brief stay in the middle, hitting a six before he was caught by Logan Weston off Foster’s bowling for just nine.
When Austin Waugh (3), Tom Doyle (1), Ben Dwarshuis (0) and Jamie Brown (10) were dismissed in quick succession it left the Sharks reeling at 7-47.
Former Manly player Aiden Bariol led a lower-order fightback, with the young wicketkeeper-batsman top scoring with 33 before he was trapped leg before wicket.
Tom Pinson (25) and Daniel Fallins (20) kept fighting before Sutherland were eventually bowled out, with Manly securing a 217-run victory.
Meanwhile, day two of St George’s clash with Hawkesbury at Owen Earle Oval was washed out with Saints 0-15 in reply to Hawkesbury’s 266.
Sutherland travel to Waverley Oval for day one of their two-day, round three clash with Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.
St George return home for the first time this season when they host Bankstown at Hurstville Oval.
Tough start for PGs
It was a mixed start to the Poidevin-Gray Shield season for Sutherland and St George on Sunday.
At Glenn McGrath Oval, Sutherland went down to Northern District via the Duckworth-Lewis method before their match against Campbelltown-Camden was washed out.
At Hurstville Oval, Dylan Bennett took 4-11 to help St George to an eight-wicket win over Eastern Suburbs before Saints went down to Mosman in a rain-affected clash.
