Barooga build pressure against Toc

By Contributed

Jan 15, 2025

Barooga's Zach Dunn swings for the boundary. Photos by Owen Sinclair. Photo by Owen Sinclair

When the Murray Valley Cricket Association’s A-grade competition resumed on Saturday, Tocumwal took to the field away against Barooga.

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Andy Arthur started Tocumwal off well on day one of the two-day game, taking an early wicket.

He was well supported by Liam Sutton, with both of the opening pair keeping things tight.

The pressure told with Andrew Lean taking a wicket with Barooga trying to hit the ball over the top.

With the two early wickets, Tocumwal were right in the game at drinks.

Unfortunately for Tocumwal, they couldn’t turn the pressure they built with good bowling into wickets.

Young Murphy Stephens from Barooga batted brilliantly on his way to 100 to keep the scoreboard moving along while the other batsmen kept their wickets intact to support him.

Once Stephens reached that milestone, Cooper Harris immediately removed him LBW for his third wicket on his way to the excellent figures of 4/48 off 16 overs.

After tea, Barooga attempted to accelerate the scoring and wickets fell regularly with a declaration coming at 9/207 mainly due to Jono Oliver scoring 35.

The other wickets were taken by Andrew Lean with 3/64 off 18 overs and Sam Bennett taking 1/13 off 4 overs.

It was a good bowling effort with Barooga never really getting away from Tocumwal quickly.

Tocumwal then had 20 tricky overs to bat with a very chaseable target.

Unfortunately for Toc, Barooga started excellently hitting the spot and swinging the ball well taking out the Tocumwal top order quickly with four caught behind the wicket.

Once the swing settled, the Tocumwal batters applied themselves well.

Liam Sutton made a good 25 before being very unlucky to be given out LBW.

Tocumwal ended the day 6/67 with Cooper Harris being on 14 not out and Josh Wraight being six not out.

If Tocumwal can build an early partnership they can still chase the target of 208 at Barooga.