Ben Strachan has continued his stunning return to Dubbo cricket with a match-winning six-wicket haul against Rugby.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The all-rounder kicked off the Whitney Cup season with a mammoth 153-run stand against Macquarie on October 13 but on Saturday it was his talents with the ball that were on show.
After claiming the wicket of Baye Wallace (5) on the first day of play (Saturday, October 20), Strachan continued where he had left off, knocking over Aidan Bennewith (8), Ben Wheeler (31), Nathan Munro (0), Peter Karydis (9) and Jacob Bruce (6).
Just two weeks after calling on Strachan to produce with the bat – resulting in that 153 – CYMS skipper Ben Knaggs lauded his top all-rounder’s bowling prowess.
“I just talked to him before the game and we just bowl to plans, attacking that off-stump and that way we’re creating chances with the ball,” Knaggs said.
“He’s been unbelievable, getting the 153 and then getting that six-for; he has definitely been a big inclusion this season and hopefully he can keep that up for the rest of the year.”
Perhaps the most pleasing for Knaggs is the fact that Strachan is far from the only standout in this year’s side.
Instead, every member of the team is contributing to what the skipper has labelled a “really dominating” force with both bat and ball.
They bowled Rugby out for 95, with Brock Larance (2/16), Ben O’Donnell (1/9) and Bailey Edmunds (1/4) all contributing.
Larance and Stuart Naden then sent a threatening message, combining for 63-run partnership which brought CYMS within reach of victory.
Strachan again stepped up, scoring 21 not out after Larance fell, and for a moment CYMS entertained the possibility of setting a higher total and sending Rugby back in, but time was against them and they settled for victory with eight wickets in hand.
“I know last season we weren't, we were letting teams get away with easy chances, whereas this year we’re taking those chances, we’re really dominating,” Knaggs said.
“They [Rugby] are always a classy side and we knew they were going to be hard but I think on the day … they had a hard day out in the field and with the ball but we just came out with a plan and executed.”
He said the side had dreams of making their first finals series in “a really long time”.
“The boys have been quite happy with how they’ve trained, we’re all encouraging each other,” Knaggs said.
“Last year nothing went our way and we dropped our heads halfway through, but so far we’re all taking our opportunities and really looking forward to the season.”
