By Justin Schwarze
A magnificent double-century performance stole the show on an interesting day of action in the final regular season round of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association District competition.
With the ladder positioning now coming down to the final day of the season, there are still scenarios that will cause Pakenham Upper Toomuc skipper Brian Kulasena to lose sleep.
A home semi-final is still in the Yabbies’ sights, as they need a win against Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll to bring finals cricket to Harry Blackman Oval.
Pakenham Upper Toomuc won the toss and decided to bat.
The Yabbies were patient to begin their innings with openers Prabath Kobbekaduwa and Nicholas Kyval piling on 62 runs while surviving the first 25 overs.
Qasim Ali then struck Kyval on the pads and the appeal was met with the umpire raising his finger.
Kulasena then stepped to the crease and played aggressively.
He smacked two boundaries off the bowling of Kyle Williamson then misjudged a ball from Ali, being caught out for 15 after a cameo of 22 deliveries.
Syed Shah, who is having a fantastic season for the Yabbies with the bat, was the next man in.
He got a lifeline when he was dropped on five, punishing the Marygoons by hitting a major the next ball.
However, he too was struck on the pad by Ali and was given out.
Pakenham Upper Toomuc were 3/94 at that stage.
The rest of the middle order failed to support Kobbekaduwa, with three ducks, with one just before tea and two after.
As wickets continued to fall down the other end, Kobbekaduwa chipped away and tried to remain on strike.
The last four Yabbies batters added just 29 runs, in the meanwhile Kobbekaduwa brought up his hard-earned ton.
It came off 202 balls, with 11 fours included.
He was the last wicket to fall, being trapped in front by Ali to end Pakenham Upper Toomuc’s innings total at 198.
Ali, playing just his sixth District game for the season, was a brilliant selection from Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll, as he took a wonderful 7/50.
“We got off to a real solid start, the openers were there past 20 overs and got us to a real solid start,” Yabbies skipper Kulasena said.
“It’s up and down.
“We had a little bit of a collapse, but the tail did their bit.”
Kobbekaduwa’s century was absolutely crucial to Pakenham Upper Toomuc’s innings, equating to just over half of their total score.
His patience was much needed, keeping his composure as wickets fell around him.
“He faced the first ball, and he was the last wicket to get out so he batted through and really played his role,” Kulasena said of his opener.
“He understood the situation, even when we were losing wickets at the other end; he knew he needed to stick around.
“He played really well in that situation, and adapted to the game.
“It was really good to see just before finals, very happy for him.”
In the final 11 overs of the day, Pakenham Upper Toomuc claimed the wicket of James Markland as the Marygoons settled for 1/18 at stumps.
Kulasena has confidence in the Yabbie bowling attack to claim the final nine wickets and securing a final in their own backyard.
“Throughout the season, bowling has been our strongest suit,” he said.
“Our opening bowlers are in the top five wicket-takers for the year, so we’re very confident in our bowling and we’d back ourselves to defend that score.
“It’s still hard work, it’s not just going to happen, and we’ve got to work for it.
“It’s the last round, and we’re still not sure where we’re going to end up so it just goes to show how competitive it is, how things can end up.
“We really want that home semi-final, so we’ve got to work real hard.”
Over at Chandler Recreation Reserve, the innings of the summer took place.
Officer opener Chathura Imbulagoda brought up 234 not out for the Bullants, guiding them to 7/420 against the Bombers.
Imbulagoda batted the entire 80 overs, setting a club record for his total in the process.
He was supported well, as Kuldeep Sidhu scored 66 and Cooper Pursell contributed 57.
With the visitors well and truly in prime position, star pace bowler Devon Gabriel-Brown will look to challenge Yabbie Sohail Sadiq for the league wickets title when Emerald takes the bat on day two.
It seems the Bullants will be welcoming Carlisle Park to Rob Porter Reserve in the first week of finals, as the Vikings are off to a flyer against Lang Lang.
The Tigers batted for the last time this season, as superstar captain Oshadha Ariyadasa finished off his stellar season at the crease with a stylish 90.
Ariyadasa scored his 90 off 77 balls, before chopping on a ball from spinner Adam Hollingworth.
The wicket was one of Hollingworth’s four for the day, with Jarrod Armitage taking four poles of his own.
Lang Lang posted a final score of 182 after 46 overs.
With plenty of time still remaining in the day, Carlisle Park knocked off half of their required total, despite losing opener Ethan Davies for 39 in the process.
The Vikings are 1/93 at stumps, needing 89 runs to secure a date with Officer in the post-season.
