A number of outstanding individual performances proved to be not enough for the Australian Cricketers’ Association All Stars to snare victory against the Australian Country XI at Deakin Reserve on Wednesday night.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The two outfits clashed in a Twenty20 exhibition match to mark the start of the Australian Country Cricket Championships — that are being held in Greater Shepparton until January 11 — and provided some of Cricket Shepparton’s most promising talents with an opportunity to rub shoulders with some big names.
Shaun Tait, Bryce McGain, Trent Johnston, Graeme Vimpani and Central Park-St Brendan’s legend Rohan Larkin were among the ACA Masters lining up in the All Stars team alongside locals Luke Nolan (Katandra), Joel Brett (Northerners), Michael Archer (Tatura), Mitch Cleeland (Waaia), Charlie McLay (Kyabram), Connor Hayes and Aidan Lloyd (Central Park).
McLay found himself with ball in hand to begin proceedings and wasted no time in making his mark on the fixture with a wicket in the first over.
The young Redbacks quick was one of the shining lights with the ball — even though he went for three sixes in his third over of the innings — and finished with figures of 3-34 from his four-over spell.
McLay was also lively in the field — saving a number of runs on the boundary — to complete a solid showing.
‘‘It was unreal to play with some high quality players and against some high quality players as well, so it was fantastic,’’ McLay said.
‘‘I’m pretty speechless about that, even to high five Taity in the first over was just phenomenal.
‘‘I learnt a lot (as well), especially under Larko’s captaincy, it was really good.’’
Cleeland (2-27) and Lloyd (1-16) were also among the wickets for the All Stars, but the man many of the crowd came to see was ‘‘Wild Thing’’ Tait.
The former Australian speedster began his spell off only a short run up, but by the time his four overs — which yielded figures of 0-18 — were up he was steaming in off plenty of paces and slinging heat at the Country batsmen.
McGain (2-34) also found success with the ball, but thanks to NSW star Ben Patterson (35) and Queenslander James Spargo (30) the Country outfit was able to muscle its way to 8-152 from its 20 overs.
Vimpani departed in the first over for the All Stars, bringing Archer to the crease to join Nolan.
The duo found batting to its liking and compiled a stirring stand of 97 runs for the second wicket, but Archer was bowled twice in the space of two deliveries — with the first being a free hit — and had to make his way back to the pavilion for 33.
That dismissal triggered a massive collapse from the All Stars — with Nolan (58), Hayes (one), Brett (one), Larkin (zero), Johnston (one) and Cleeland (two) all losing their wicket within the space of eight runs — and aside from a towering Tait maximum the rest of the highlights belonged to the Country team.
Patterson was the main destroyer with 5-9 from three overs, while Michael Salerno (Qld) took 3-21 from four to help dismiss the All Stars for 118.
The entertaining night also served as a vehicle for funds to be raised to go towards Billy Cookson’s recovery efforts.
The Kyabram import was involved in a serious car accident only weeks into the season, but continues to be upbeat throughout his rehabilitation.
‘‘He only played two games, but he’s just a phenomenal kid, a ripper bloke and he’s getting along well now, so we’re all pretty proud of him,’’ McLay said of Cookson.
‘‘He got to come (to Kyabram) for Christmas, so that was brilliant and yeah we’re all pretty happy (with how he’s tracking).’’
