Adelaide A Grade Cricket Review (31 March 1999)

31 March 1999

Adelaide A Grade Cricket Review

By LAWRIE COLLIVER

After an agonising gap of some 24 seasons, the Adelaide Cricket Club won its first 'A' Grade premiership since 1974-75 after being fortunate to make the finals series at all. With one round to play they were out of the four and it was only an outright victory in the final minor round match which saw them edge out Northern Districts, who had been in the final four for the whole of the season. The victory certainly eased the pain of several recent Grand Finals losses, none more so than the 1995-96 one run loss which gave Tea Tree Gully its first flag. Adelaide, like last seasons premier University peaked at the right time of the year with Luke Williams breaking through for his maiden and second A grade centuries in the final two rounds and State Representative Chris Davies, who averaged 31.58 in the minor round came to the fore in his clubs final three matches making 100 in round 13, 121 in the semi-final and 87 in the grand-final. Davies finished the season with 587 runs at 41.92 and in bowling, speedster Shane Maraun was a leading figure with his 32 wickets including 5/66 in the semi-final versus Kensington. Maraun was well supported by the ever reliable seamer Erin Bernhardt and medium pacer Michael Wood (25 at 25.20). Veteran wicket-keeper Warren Smith was as safe as ever and 1997-98 Bradman Medalist Ben Hook chipped in with useful contributions.

Runner-up East Torrens lost only two matches apart from the grand final and had many players develop into formidable cricketers as they progressed from their 1997-98 position of 11th. Their star player of the season was co-Bradman Medalist Adam Polkinghorne (558 runs and 33 wickets at 23.51) with Graham Yates (562 at 40.14) and top of the order veteran Andrew Carver (614 runs at 40.93) making sure their bowlers had enough runs to defend. Apart from the efforts of Polkinghorne with the ball, skipper Joe Scuderi (22 at 21.63) chipped in when required and 6ft 8in young fast bowler Paul Rofe (21 at 24.28) did well when available from school duties.

Kensington finished the minor round on top but were easily bundled out in their semi-final against Adelaide when they collapsed to 5/44 chasing 257. Dean Waugh (605 at 40.33) was the leading batting light but no other player passed 400 runs, with Jamie Siddons (386 at 48.25) and Greg Blewett (326 at 163.00) doing very well when available as the Browns relied on their bowling strength. All-rounders John Lee (23 at 12.56) and Barry Steele (22 at 23.13) along with left-arm quick Andrew Watson (23 at 17.39) bowled Kensington to victory in a number of matches when their batting failed.

Sturt, who narrowly missed the four last season, lost only two matches like co-finalist East Torrens and would have been disappointed with their batting in the semi-final. James Pyke held the batting together, but no one else averaged over 35 although all-rounders Evan Arnold (341 at 31.00 and 25 at 22.00) and David Ritossa (351 at 29.25 plus 31 wickets) had respectable seasons. After starting the season at first-class level, Nathan Adcock managed just 222 runs at 18.50 in a poor year.

Northern Districts made a great improvement going from 13th to fifth although they should have been in the finals as they were in top four all throughout the minor round. Their batting revolved around the efforts of dual-Bradman medalist Anthony Heidrich (499 runs and 17 wickets) and the improved Anthony McInerney (381 at 38.10) with their leading wicket taker being Keith Hooker who took 22 wickets at just over 17 apiece. Test player Darren Lehmann managed just one game for the season and made a duck against Glenelg.

1997-98 Grand Finalists Tea Tree Gully missed the final four for the first time in six seasons. Their recruitment of New South Welshman Brett Williams who took 19 wickets at just 20.47 to go with his solid batting was a bonus, but sadly his only support with the bat came from Matthew Kelton (507 at 50.70) who made centuries against East and West Torrens. The Gullies apart from Kelby Pickering (32 at 22.84) were lacking in pace bowling and in the spin department had only Garry Chillingworth as Peter McIntyre (7 at 26.43) managed just three games due to a shoulder injury. Wicket-keeper Darren Hall was reliable as ever.

Last seasons premier University lost too many matches early and can blame their weak batting for their final placing. They missed Darren Webber and Cameron Williamson who were both on holiday overseas and relied heavily Adam Kimber (409 at 31.46) and all-rounder Mike Smith. Smith made 430 runs at 33.08 to go with his excellent bowling efforts and was considered to be a favourite for the Bradman Medal. Nick Roberts did not let the Blacks down as he and Smith combined to be the competitions best opening attack.

Last seasons semi-finalist West Torrens played well below expectations but were strong in batting with Ben Smith heading the averages, Malcolm Howell playing his first full season for some time and interstate recruit Darren Reeves (527 at 40.54) performing solidly. It was in bowling that West Torrens struggled with the absence of Brett Swain on state duty clearly felt. Ben Higgins took 21 wickets but no one else managed over 20 with spinner Matthew Minagall struggling taking 18 wickets at an expensive 37.28.

Woodville started the season in tremendous fashion winning the West End Cup Trophy as well as four of their first five matches. Sadly from that point on the wheels fell off and they failed to win another match. Second year player Ian Redpath (491 at 35.07) held the batting up while paceman Andrew Eime had a poor run with injuries taking 17 wickets at 22.00 as the absence of several key players resulted in a disapponting second half of the season.

Prospect went backwards in 1998-99 winning only three matches. Left hander Sam Ellicott had a strong year as did State player Jeff Vaughan (302 at 60.40) when available. Seamer Paul Slade managed 29 wickets and Michael Carter (25 at 22.80) bowled well but there efforts were poorly supported.

Glenelg were another club that made little progress in 1998-99. Their batting was far from satisfactory and their bowling was light on with Tarque Williamson (29 at 28.86) and Jason Foster (24 at 26.29) doing best.

Southern Districts were another side that just made up the numbers but would have been delighted that their New South Wales recruit Shane Deitz (483 at 43.91) made his first class debut. Young Off-spinner Dwayne Ross was their leading wicket taker with 25 wickets at 32.00

Port Adelaide, a club rich in history face an uncertain future after their demoralising season. They did not win a game after Christmas but unearthed a future player of class in left arm swing bowler Joe Southam. When available Mark Harrity (16 at 12.81) did well but it was rare that the batsmen gave their bowlers a decent score to bowl to.