With a victory in two-day cricket up its sleeve, Barooga A-Grade was eager to continue its winning streak when it travelled to second-placed Nathalia on Saturday, February 1, for Round 13 of the MVCA.
Barooga won the toss and chose to bat, with Zach Dunn scoring only two from six before being caught off the bowling of Nathalia’s Dylan Cunningham.
Fifteen-year-old Murphy Stephens dug in to make a respectable 30 from 96 balls.
But when captain Riyaad Henry stepped up for Barooga, no-one was left in any doubt about what the South African’s return to the river-side community means for the club.
Perhaps it was a case of underestimation by Nathalia. What is certain is that Henry made himself a major nuisance for the home side.
With an innings-topping 206 from 228 balls, with 20 fours and six sixes, Henry showed why he is considered one of the strongest batters in the competition.
But with smart bowling from Nathalia’s Brenton Campbell (five for 57) and Dylan Cunningham (three for 69), things were never easy for Barooga.
Jonathon Oliver helped Barooga along with a neat 24 from 50.
Barooga finished its first innings all out for 313 from 79.5 overs — a considerable question for even second-placed Nathalia to answer on day two of the round this weekend.
