Cockatoos v West Robbham - Commentary

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Cockatoos have won the toss and will bat first against the inconsistent Rabid Wolves bowling. It should be a cracking match.

0.1 Gough to Robertson, 2 runs, On the legs straight away and clipped past midwicket for 2 runs.
0.2 Gough to Robertson, 0 runs, Much better. Just outside offstump and left alone.
0.3 Gough to Robertson, FOUR, Oh dear! That was short and down the legside and helped on it's way to fine leg.
0.4 Gough to Robertson, 0 runs, Bang on target. Defended off the back foot.
0.5 Gough to Robertson, 1 run, EDGED! Just past 2nd slip and fielded by third man.
0.6 Gough to Dauth, FOUR, Stand and deliver! He just stayed rooted to the crease and smashed that past mid-off. Great shot.

End of over 1 (11 runs) - Cockatoos 11/0
JA Robertson 7* (5b) KJ Gough 1-0-11-0
RJ Dauth 4* (1b)

1.1 Raghav to Robertson, 2 runs, Full and some swing for Raghav. Robertson looked to drive and the ball squirted off the outside edge and flew past gully. It's 2 runs, but a close shave.
1.2 Raghav to Robertson, 0 runs, Some swing again, as Robertson watched it carefully and left it alone.
1.3 Raghav to Robertson, 0 runs, Full and straight and defended back down the wicket.
1.4 Raghav to Robertson, 2 runs, He strayed on the pads that time and Robertson took advantage with a nice on-drive. It was chased well by Gough and he pulled it back to save 2.
1.5 Raghav to Robertson, FOUR, Shot boy! Great straight drive and there's no saving that one! Four runs!
1.6 Raghav to Robertson, 1 run, Guided to third man for a single.

End of over 2 (9 runs) - Cockatoos 20/0
JA Robertson 16* (11b) SV Raghav 1-0-9-0
RJ Dauth 4* (1b)

2.1 Gough to Dauth, FOUR, Two balls and two fours for Dauth. Short and wide this time and he just helps it over the slips. It's fine enough to beat third man. Great touch.
2.2 Gough to Dauth, 0 runs, Much tighter and Dauth can't do anything but push to cover.
2.3 Gough to Dauth, 1 run, A firm drive down the ground, but a desperate dive by mid-off keeps it to 1 run.
2.4 Gough to Robertson, 0 runs, On a good length and he pushed to cover.
2.5 Gough to Robertson, 0 runs, Short ball! That zipped past his nose as he rocked back to avoid it.
2.6 Gough to Robertson, 0 runs, Cut hard but straight hard into the ground and to the man in the gully. No run.

End of over 3 (5 runs) - Cockatoos 25/0
JA Robertson 16* (14b) KJ Gough 2-0-16-0
RJ Dauth 9* (4b)

3.1 Raghav to Dauth, FOUR, Lofted back overhead for four. Stand and deliver again. Dauth showing that footwork is overrated there.
3.2 Raghav to Dauth, 1 run, Pulled around the corner but straight to long leg. A single.
3.3 Raghav to Robertson, 1 run, Flicked to long leg. Raghav straying to legstump.
3.4 Raghav to Dauth, FOUR, Another one! Pitched up by Raghav and clubbed just out of the reach of Gough at mid-off.
3.5 Raghav to Dauth, 1 run, Short and fended to the legside. The batsmen take a single.
3.6 Raghav to Robertson, 2 runs, A lovely straight drive and the batsmen rush through for 2 runs.

End of over 4 (13 runs) - Cockatoos 38/0
JA Robertson 19* (16b) SV Raghav 2-0-22-0
RJ Dauth 19* (8b)

Here's Kieron Pollard into the attack. Medium pace to replace pace with Cockatoos off to a good start.
4.1 Pollard to Dauth, 2 runs, A poor start, slipping down the legside. Dauth just tickled it around the corner and the batsmen pushed hard for 2 runs.
4.2 Pollard to Dauth, 0 runs, Nice line and length and defended.
4.3 Pollard to Dauth, 0 runs, A bit outside offstump and Dauth left it through to the 'keeper.
4.4 Pollard to Dauth, FOUR, On the pads again and Dauth put it away with a flourish.
4.5 Pollard to Dauth, 0 runs, Pollard followed up with a slower ball that Dauth just pushed back down the pitch.
4.6 Pollard to Dauth, 1 run, Dauth on the back foot and late cutting it wide of backward point for a single.

End of over 5 (7 runs) - Cockatoos 45/0
JA Robertson 19* (16b) KA Pollard 1-0-7-0
RJ Dauth 26* (14b)

[superkingdave]

Very dissapointing start, one more over then the twirlers i guess

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Excellent start by Dauth. Robertson looking solid as he has throughout the tournament. Hoping he can push on a make a big score here.

Up the Cocks!

[Majin]

Going to be a hectic chase by the looks of things.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

And no piss poor bowling from Heath to score off either.

[Goughy]

****

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The first sight of spin...
5.1 Richards to Dauth, 1 run, On offstump and Dauth pushed it just to the left of cover for a single.
5.2 Richards to Robertson, 0 runs, The left-armer starts well. Flat and on offstump and defended back to the bowler.
5.3 Richards to Robertson, FOUR, There's the improvisation! A reverse sweep by Robertson that flies away to the boundary for four.
5.4 Richards to Robertson, 0 runs, Some flight from Richards, but Robertson takes care and watches it turn past.
5.5 Richards to Robertson, SIX, More flight and this time Robertson went for it. It only just cleared Rai back at long-off. Very lucky for Robertson, but Cockatoos race along.
5.6 Richards to Robertson, OUT, That's a poor shot to go to. Robertson had just hit six and went for another one over midwicket. But he didn't get under it and Sam Morris pulled down a good catch at midwicket. Crucial breakthrough for Rabid Wolves.

JA Robertson c Morris b Richards 29 (21)
Partnership 56 (JA Robertson 29, RJ Dauth 27)
Cockatoos 56/1 (5.6 overs)

End of over 6 (11 runs) - Cockatoos 56/1
RJ Dauth 27* (15b) DP Richards 1-0-11-1
R Malone 0* (0b)

6.1 Pollard to Dauth, BEATEN!, A bit of bounce there and that surprised Dauth, beating the edge. Encouraging signs for Pollard here.
6.2 Pollard to Dauth, 1 run, Good shot off his hips but straight to the fielder on the ropes. Just 1 run for it.
6.3 Pollard to Malone, 2 runs, Pollard strayed onto the legs again and whipped away for 2 runs. Malone is off the mark. He's a crucial player for Cockatoos today.
6.4 Pollard to Malone, 0 runs, Good legcutter and pushed away to cover. No run.
6.5 Pollard to Malone, 1 run, Short and on offstump, and Malone rides the bounce to get a single to the left of short third man.
6.6 Pollard to Dauth, 0 runs, There's the bounce again. Defended off the back foot.

End of over 7 (4 runs) - Cockatoos 60/1
RJ Dauth 28* (18b) KA Pollard 2-0-11-0
R Malone 3* (3b)

7.1 Richards to Malone, 1 run, Short and wide and Malone cut it hard, but picked out the sweeper on the cover boundary.
7.2 Richards to Dauth, 0 runs, Much tighter. Richards flighted it and almost turned it past the bat.
7.3 Richards to Dauth, 0 runs, Hit hard this time, but directly to the man at mid-off.
7.4 Richards to Dauth, 1 run, Dauth got down on one knee and paddle the ball around the corner, then Dauth called him through for a quick single. Well run.
7.5 Richards to Malone, BEATEN!, A big heave and a miss. Richards has a big smile on his face. He's trumped Malone there.
7.6 Richards to Malone, 1 run, Smashed back toward the bowler and Richards had to dive full stretch to field the ball. He looks to have injured himself in the process. Richards is grabbing his side and here comes the physio. It looks like Richards is heading off. This could be a big loss for Rabid Wolves.

End of over 8 (2 runs) - Cockatoos 62/1
RJ Dauth 29* (21b) DP Richards 2-0-12-1
R Malone 4* (7b)

Pollard continues...
8.1 Pollard to Malone, 0 runs, Tight on offstump and worked to the man at short midwicket. Good captaincy to have the man there.
8.2 Pollard to Malone, 1 run, Driven down the ground, but there's a man at long-off and he kept it to a single.
8.3 Pollard to Dauth, FOUR, Good shot by Dauth! He was starting to look a bit anxious, but some improvisation released the pressure there. He just went up and over short fine leg with a scooping shot.
8.4 Pollard to Dauth, 2 runs, Overcompensation from the bowler and it's full and wide. Dauth had to stretch to reach it, but he beat the infield and got 2 for it.
8.5 Pollard to Dauth, 0 runs, Bang on target again. Defended.
8.6 Pollard to Dauth, 1 run, Driven hard to cover and they steal a very quick single. The throw just missed, but the batsman would have been safe anyway.

End of over 9 (8 runs) - Cockatoos 70/1
RJ Dauth 36* (25b) KA Pollard 3-0-19-0
R Malone 5* (9b)

Gough turns to Bennett to replace the injured Richards. The second member of the much hyped Trip of Rip.
9.1 Bennett to Dauth, 3 runs, Short straight away and Dauth cut it behind point. Read ran hard in the chase and just pulled it back, but the batsmen run exceptionally to get 3.
9.2 Bennett to Malone, SIX, There he goes. Malone didn't waste any time there. He received a low full toss and took toll of it by swinging it into the stands.
9.3 Bennett to Malone, 0 runs, Good comeback. That was 67mph and fired into the toes of the batsman. Great thinking by Bennett.
9.4 Bennett to Malone, FOUR, Bennett tried for the same ball again but it drifted down legside and Malone flicked it away fine. A welcome boundary.
9.5 Bennett to Malone, OUT, Bowled'm! Dragged down short but it skidded through and beat Malone's pull shot. Bowled comprehensively.

R Malone b Bennett 15 (13)
Partnership 27 (RJ Dauth 12, R Malone 15)
Cockatoos 83/2 (9.5 overs)

9.6 Bennett to de Bruyn, 1 run, He's off the mark with a push down to long-off.

End of over 10 (14 runs) - Cockatoos 84/2
RJ Dauth 39* (26b) SA Bennett 1-0-14-1
Z de Bruyn 1* (1b)

[superkingdave]

aah! will have to return later on with 2 double wicket maidens and an unbeaten 50

[Goughy]

8+ an over and Richards hurt. Not a good start here. Though we do bat very deep. Hopefully Richards can hold a stick

[Majin]

Pollard is a beautiful man. Without him the RR would be going way out of control.

Would be confident of chasing down 170. Anything above that could go either way

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Morris is into the attack...
10.1 Morris to de Bruyn, 1 run, Swept away for a single. Good solid shot.
10.2 Morris to Dauth, 0 runs, That was a bit short but Dauth couldn't beat backward point with his cut shot.
10.3 Morris to Dauth, FOUR, Another short ball, but Dauth was keen to this one. Great contact and placement to beat the sweeper.
10.4 Morris to Dauth, 0 runs, A bit of turn there and Dauth got a leading edge. It dropped just short of the bowler in his follow through.
10.5 Morris to Dauth, 1 run, Good strike rotation. He dropped the ball into the legside and ran through for a quick run.
10.6 Morris to de Bruyn, 0 runs, Bang on target and defended.

End of over 11 (6 runs) - Cockatoos 90/2
RJ Dauth 44* (30b) SC Morris 1-0-6-0
Z de Bruyn 2* (3b)

Kev Gough brings himself back on...
11.1 Gough to Dauth, 0 runs, That climbed into him and he swayed out of the way. Great stuff.
11.2 Gough to Dauth, 0 runs, Yorker this time and he defended.
11.3 Gough to Dauth, FOUR, Another short ball, but Dauth was keen to it. That hook shot looked almost premeditated and was struck very cleanly.
11.4 Gough to Dauth, 0 runs, Zipped back in and cut him in half. Some seam movement for Gough there and Dauth had no answer.
11.5 Gough to Dauth, OUT, What a beauty! The ball cut back in late and cannoned into the front pad. That's a hint of reverse swing and a big wicket.

RJ Dauth lbw b Gough 48 (35)
Partnership 11 (RJ Dauth 9, Z de Bruyn 2)
Cockatoos 94/3 (11.5 overs)

11.6 Gough to Kearsley, 1 run, He's off the mark straight away. That was sharp and rising into the body and Kearsley fended it away to the legside for a single.

End of over 12 (5 runs) - Cockatoos 95/3
Z de Bruyn 2* (3b) KJ Gough 3-0-21-1
DA Kearsley 1* (1b)

12.1 Morris to Kearsley, 2 runs, On the legs and he whipped it away for 2. Kearsley truly looks like a man in form.
12.2 Morris to Kearlsey, 2 runs, Again Morris was on the legstump and again Kearsley worked it away for 2 more runs.
12.3 Morris to Kearlsey, 0 runs, Much better and pushed to short extra cover.
12.4 Morris to Kearsley, FOUR, Too short this time and he paid the price. The batsman cut it past Read at backward point and there was no saving it.
12.5 Morris to Kearsley, 1 run, Down the track and he drove it to long-off for 1.
12.6 Morris to de Bruyn, 1 run, Good shot for 1 run. He swept that from offstump with some power, but straight to the man on the ropes.

End of over 13 (10 runs) - Cockatoos 105/3
Z de Bruyn 3* (4b) SC Morris 2-0-16-0
DA Kearsley 10* (6b)

Bennett is back with his flat "spin"...
13.1 Bennett to Kearsley, 2 runs, That's quick and flat again Kearsley just helped it fine for 2 runs.
13.2 Bennett to Kearsley, 0 runs, Fired into the toes and blocked out. Bennett fielded the ball and had some words for Kearsley.
13.3 Bennett to Kearsley, 1 run, A bit of width offered and hit cut the ball to the sweeper. A single.
13.4 Bennett to de Bruyn, 0 runs, He can't do much with that. It's in the blockhole at 68mph, off just a couple of paces. Extraordinary.
13.5 Bennett to de Bruyn, 1 run, Punched off the back foot to the man at long-off.
13.6 Bennett to Kearsley, BEATEN!, Some flight and Kearsley was beaten by the lack of pace. He went for the slog sweep way too early there.

End of over 14 (4 runs) - Cockatoos 109/3
Z de Bruyn 4* (6b) SA Bennett 2-0-18-1
DA Kearsley 13* (10b)

14.1 Morris to de Bruyn, 2 runs, A bit short and de Bruyn didn't need much of an invitation. He guided the ball past short third man and gained himself 2 runs.
14.2 Morris to de Bruyn, 0 runs, Hard hit but brilliantly at short midwicket. That's the spirit that Rabid Wolves need to maintain to keep the pressure on.
14.3 Morris to de Bruyn, 0 runs, Short and cut, but he couldn't beat short third man.
14.4 Morris to de Bruyn, FOUR, A rank long hop this time and he pulled it over the short midwicket and it beat the man on the boundary.
14.5 Morris to de Bruyn, FOUR, And he followed up with a full toss. de Bruyn accepted the invitation to go aerial and hit it over mid-on for another boundary.
14.6 Morris to de Bruyn, 1 run, swept away for a single. de Bruyn is starting to look really good.

End of over 15 (11 runs) - Cockatoos 120/3
Z de Bruyn 15* (12b) SC Morris 3-0-27-0
DA Kearsley 13* (10b)

[Majin]

Massive wicket from Kev, just what we needed.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Lightning storms overhead at the CW Oval.

[superkingdave]

Bit of a delay to give me time to rest up...

[Goughy]

Originally Posted by superkingdave

Bit of a delay to give me time to rest up...

Cup of tea, a pipe and put your feet up. Best way to get ready to return