LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET
By LIAM DURKIN MORWELL Tigers Yinnar Raiders cricketer Ben Burrows represented Gippsland Pride on Sunday. Burrows was the teams wicket-keeper for the Round 2 clash in the Under 16 Youth Premier League. The youngster played under the watchful eye of former AFL coach Guy McKenna, who has made the move from football to cricket since his time at Gold Coast Suns ended, and is now a coach and talent specialist with Cricket Victoria. Playing South East Sharks at Ted Summerton Reserve, the home side bowled first after losing the toss. Playing on a very good wicket with a smooth outfield, Gippsland did well to keep their opponents under 200 – a commendable effort given the match was played with ‘chicks boundaries’ – the same that were used for the recent WBBL match. South East closed at 8/192 from their allotted 50 overs. Burrows had one assisted run-out toward the end, and returned a clean-sheet, with zero byes let through. No byes is always a point-of-pride for keepers. The fielding from Gippsland was of high standard, with the stumps thrown down on numerous occasions. Pride established a solid base in reply, getting to 48 without loss. Sale-Maffra’s Sam Anderson batted for most of the innings, and ended with a mature 88 from 79 balls in a knock that included 14 fours. Pride reached the required total in the 44th over, winning by four wickets. Burrows had a brief time at the crease, but was out in the middle as the winning runs were hit, remaining one not out from four balls. The win took Pride’s record to 1-1. Their next match is on this Monday (December 12). Burrows has enjoyed a strong season in representative cricket, and despite his age, has already represented the Latrobe Valley District Cricket League senior team in the Gippsland Cricket League.
