Fourth ball – Moors Strikes Again Joshua Moors is continuing his red-hot season for St George, notching up back-to-back centuries in men’s third grade. After his career-best 155 and 7-51 against Manly Warringah in the qualifying final, Moors struck 118 off 72 including 14 boundaries and six sixes against UNSW in last weekend’s semi final […]
Fourth ball – Moors Strikes Again
Joshua Moors is continuing his red-hot season for St George, notching up back-to-back centuries in men’s third grade. After his career-best 155 and 7-51 against Manly Warringah in the qualifying final, Moors struck 118 off 72 including 14 boundaries and six sixes against UNSW in last weekend’s semi final to bring up his fourth century of the season. Moors (677) leads the third grade run scorers for 2024/25, 66 runs clear of second placed Luke Polglase (611).
Fourth Ball – St George Aims to End 18-Year Wait for Third Grade Title
St George will be looking to secure their first third grade title since 2005/06, after a 244-run win over UNSW to secure their spot in this weekend’s final against Parramatta.
Double tons, records tumble and grand final fixtures confirmed in this edition of The Opening Spell.
Second ball – Fairfield Liverpool Seeks First Belvidere Cup in Nearly Two Decades
With both semi finals drawn at the conclusion of play last weekend, Parramatta and Fairfield Liverpool will go head-to-head in the men’s first grade final. Can Fairfield Liverpool claim their first Belvidere Cup since 2005/06?
Who: Parramatta v Fairfield Liverpool
Where: Cricket Central
When: From 10.00am Friday 28th to Sunday, 30th March
Who: Parramatta v St George
Where: Old Kings Oval
When: 10.00am Saturday 29th and Sunday 20th March
Who: Northern District v Manly Warringah
Where: Mark Taylor Oval
When: From 10.00am Friday 28th to Sunday, 30th March.
Fifth Ball – Manly Warringah and St George Face Off for Fourth Grade Crown
After dominant performances in their semifinals, Manly Warringah and St George will face off for fourth grade glory. Will St George claim their first fourth grade title since 2018/19 or will Manly go four in a row?
Second Over
Third ball – Manly and Northern District Set to Battle in Second Grade Final
Manly Warringah recorded a four-wicket win over Sydney University to progress to this weekend’s second grade final, while Northern District as the higher-ranked team progressed over Campbelltown Camden after their match was drawn.
First Over
First ball – Connolly’s Career High
Tom Connolly’s double ton in UNSW’s third grade qualifying final was THAT good we missed it! Connolly’s career-best knock of 210 included 22 boundaries and three sixes, marking the highest UNSW third grade innings and the fourth highest UNSW innings ever across all grades.
Second ball – Dhillon Hauls Manly Over the Line
Manly Warringah’s Roop Dhillon has continued his great back-end-of-season with a five-wicket haul in second grade on Saturday. Dhillon finished with 5-48 off his 23.3 overs, combining with Julian Osbourne (4-25) to see Sydney University bowled out for 149 as Manly went on to secure a four-wicket win to progress through to this weekend’s final. With 26 wickets, Dhillon sits in seventh on the table of second grade wicket takers this season. With only two others ahead of him set to line-up in this weekend’s fixture, how high can he climb?
Third ball – Abood Hits Century of First Grade Matches
Gerard Abood stood in his 100th NSW Men’s Premier Cricket first grade match on the weekend when he officiated the semi final at Rosedale Oval between Fairfield Liverpool and Penrith. On field, Gerard has notched up some significant highlights including 11 men’s T20Is, 112 BBL matches, 90 first-class matches and nine Belvidere Cup finals. Off field, he has been a member of Cricket Australia’s Playing Conditions Advisory Committee, the National Umpires’ Leadership Group, an Assistant Code of Conduct Commissioner for CNSW, and an excellent contributor to NSWCUSA Conventions.
Who: Manly Warringah v St George
Where: Manly Oval
When: 10.00am Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March
Fifth ball – St George Dismantles Sydney University
St George continues to roll on in season 2024/25, securing their place in the men’s fourth grade final. Rithvik Kumar (5-35), Steven Milliken (4-23) and Roy Russo (1-2) demolished Sydney University’s batting line-up, bowling the side out for just 90 runs. In response, Sahil Singh Pathania smacked 80 off 59, including 13 fours and two sixes, while fellow opener Armaan Kumar finished unbeaten on 80.
Sixth ball – Brock Preston’s Six Wickets Set Up St George
Of the 34 wickets that fell in the fifth grade clash between St George and Manly Warringah, six belonged to Brock Preston who helped secure St George’s third final across five grades. Preston finished with a career best spell of 6 for 31 off his 18.5 overs in the first innings, before Michael Kennedy (5-61) and skipper Paul Witherly (4-25) finished the job in the second innings.
Pictured: Josh Moors raises his bat for St George
Sixth Ball – Parramatta and St George Set for Fifth Grade Final Showdown
The fifth grade final will see Parramatta and St George go head-to-head after both teams triumphed in their respective semi finals. Parramatta will be full of confidence with Naveen Patil and Liam Gilles sitting first and second on the grade’s leading wicket takers list and Cameron Knight within the top three leading run scorers. However, St George’s bowling attack led by Brock Preston, Michael Kennedy and Paul Witherly will be up and about after their dominant display in the semis.
Who: Parramatta v St George
Where: Bankstown Oval
When: 10.00am Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March
First ball – Nikitaras and Rodgers’ Double Century Stand
Blake Nikitaras (122) has brought up his fourth century of the season and eighth of his first grade career while Matt Rodgers (121) has notched up his 13th career ton and third for the season as the pair put on 209 in their opening stand for St George. Nikitaras (1076) sits atop of the runs in first grade and fourth overall in men’s premier cricket for the season.
We congratulate and thank Gerard for his ongoing outstanding umpiring career and continued contributions to cricket.
