Port bowlers get job done

Defending champs Port Hedland continued their dominant start to the season, dismantling Hedland Lions Cricket Club in round three of the Ray Stoddart Shield.

Port Hedland stormed to victory last week at Kevin Scott Oval on the back of a fantastic team bowling effort.

Lions won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that proved costly when Jarrad Ams castled opener Dushyant Gahlaut in the first over.

Rhys Colreavy then dismissed Viraj Mahida, before Ams then bowled Balpreet Singh in the third to leave the Lions reeling at 3-12 after three overs.

Tight bowling kept the pressure on the Lions as Vipul Patel did his best to rebuild their innings.

Unfortunately for Lions, Patel was dismissed in the 11th over for 29, and the last five wickets added just 15 runs, with Lions dismissed for 64 in the 19th over.

Eight Port bowlers took wickets, including Ams with 2-12 from his four overs and Jarrad O’Dea taking 2-10 from three overs.

Chasing a small total, Port took the opportunity to make changes to their batting order.

Lions struck in the first ball with Ajay Patel dismissing Brayden Pilkington for a duck before Colreavy was clean bowled by Kamlesh Prajapati in the fifth over to leave Port 2-20.

Scott Wiseman then helped to guide Port home, making 24 before he was dismissed.

George Purcell smashed a no-ball for six to make the winning runs, with Port Hedland defeating Lions by seven wickets.

Port Hedland captain Chris Briody said it was a chance to bowl players who wouldn’t usually get a go.

“It was good to give a few guys a bat up the top, and they did a good job tonight,” he said.

“There are games that are going to happen in the future where we are going to lose a couple up top, that’s cricket, and we’ll need guys at the bottom to get us to a good score so its important we give guys game time.”

In the other games, Miners overwhelmed Lions with a ten-wicket victory, dismissing Lions for 56 before chasing the total in eight overs.

Meanwhile, a strong performance by Port Hedland openers Chris Briody (41) and Kevin Johnston (47) led Port to victory over the Miners by 42 runs.

The final match of the round between Wanders and Hedland Lions will be held tonight at Kevin Scott Oval.