Deitz's leading hand rescues South Australia
Shane Deitz provided the highlight for South Australia's 2nd XI
David Bebb
18-Jul-2005
Shane Deitz provided the highlight for South Australia's 2nd XI and in the process helped his side recover to be 294/5 at the end of the first day of their ACB cup clash with Western Australia's 2nd XI at Tompkins Park in Perth yesterday.
Western Australia won the toss and, on a cold damp blustery morning at
Melville Cricket club's home ground Tompkins Park, asked South Australia
to bat first.
Jack Smith and Daniel Harris opened to the attack of Michael Clark and
Stuart Karppinen
In the fourth over Smith was dropped by second slip Adam Voges off Karppinen
without scoring. Four overs later he was caught at point by Brett Jones
off Karppinen for two (26 balls) to leave South Australia 12/1.
After only a brief but successful spell, Karppinen was replaced at the River
end by Callum Thorp who carried on through to the drinks break. However, just
before that break, Voges (who was still in second slip) earned the ire of
the change bowler Thorp when he dropped his second catch of the day - this
time off Ben Higgins when that batsman was on eight. Voges was soon
banished to the outfield.
When the first session drinks break was taken after 14 overs had been
bowled, Harris had scored three (46) and Higgins fourteen (21) and the South
Australian score was 1/30.
Andrew James replaced Clark at the Canning Road end. The former Canberran
quick spraying the ball either side of the wicket in his first over with six
runs being taken off it.
James' next over had a double breakthrough. Playing well away from his body
outside off, Higgins was unlucky to have played the ball off the inside edge
and into the stumps behind him after scoring 27 runs (38). Two balls later
Mark Cosgrove was out edging to the 'keeper Ronchi without scoring and from
the last ball of the over. James followed this up with a sharp maiden over.
James was replaced by Beau Casson who bowled two economical overs before
the lunch break, and lunch was taken with the weather improving and South
Australia steady at 3/75 after 28 overs.
Wes Thomas 15 (47) was caught in the 34th over when he edged to the 'keeper
Luke Ronchi from the bowling of Michael Thistle (bowling from the River end). South Australia were 4/85. By drinks in the middle session, Daniel Harris (38) and Deitz (15) had moved the score to 114.
Deitz pulled at a short ball from James sending it high and deep over
fine leg where it fell dangerously close to a river. The six took his
score along to 36.
Before tea, Thorp replaced Karppinen at the River end and then Casson
replaced James at the Canning Road end. Tea came and the ground was again
dark and gloomy with the score on 4/167 with Harris 60 and
Deitz 41 after 57 overs.
Harris was on 60 (172) when he fell as he pushed out to a ball
from Thorp and nicked it through to the 'keeper Ronchi when the score was 168.
Michael Thistle came in for some punishment after he replaced Thorp at the
River end with 26 runs being taken off six overs in his final spell.
James replaced Casson as WA took the new ball after 80 overs and the score
on 5/242. His first two overs of this spell were maidens keeping
Ferguson quiet. With Deitz on strike for the next two overs he conceded nine
runs.
The cloud cover had returned when Deitz brought up his century
turning the ball from James into the leg-side and coming back for the
second. The South Australians were right onto that fact and gave him a
goodly round of appreciation from their positions under the club house
eaves. The Western Australian supporters too were equally generous. In
three and a half hours of batting Deitz entertained with shots to all
parts of the ground with measured aggression at times and respect at
other times.
At stumps, with picturesque shafts of light bursting through the clouds
low on the horizon, South Australia had taken their score along to 294/5 wickets. Deitz was the story of the day, his unbeaten knock
of 114 (197) was chanceless. Harris gave a chance which wasn't taken and
went on to make 60 before becoming Thorp's only scalp. Ferguson 48 (117)
also remained unbeaten at day's end, a stalwart ally for Deitz in the unbroken sixth wicket stand of 126.
For Western Australia there can be only a measure of disappointment at
the end of this day after chances went begging, allowing the batsmen to take full advantage. Double wicket-taker James was wayward and expensive. Thistle and
Karppinen probably could have done more. Callum Thorp was impressively
disciplined but largely went unrewarded for his efforts and Casson and Clark
both bowled courageously but without any luck.
This game will continue for the next three days with the weather outlook
becoming fine. The facilities at the Melville CC's ground are fantastic.