MOST cricketers would not call being run-out in the 90s a lucky day, but for ORC captain Wayne Sellers, that is exactly how he saw the afternoon when he was dismissed five short of his maiden century.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For Sellers it was a lucky day last Saturday as it marked the Tigers’ first win since he took over as skipper for the 2017-18 Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade season.
He made 95 against Rugby Union, while Jeremy Judge made a hard-earned 31 and Evan Jones an unbeaten 67. Given those efforts came after his brother Dave hit 80 opening against St Pat’s Old Boys a week earlier, it shows that ORC’s line up is finding touch with the bat.
“It was one of those very lucky days, everybody needs one now and then,” Sellers said.
“It was my call [for that run] and there was only an over left, so I had no choice really. I’ve just come off a knee reco, so I’m not very mobile at the moment, so it was my fault I got run out.
“But I was happy that we won, that’s all that matters.
“We’ve struggled to have someone in the top order go on, but last week it was David he got 80 then it was me, so hopefully someone can continue on with that every week.
“Evan batted fantastic, but Jeremy Judge, he did the hard job. He came in about 10 overs before drinks and it was a bit awkward, if we lost another quick wicket we would’ve been in trouble. But he just knocked it around for a few singles and soaked up some time until it got easier.”
This Saturday Sellers is hoping his side has another lucky day when taking on Centennials Bulls at Morse Park 1.
The Bulls have won twice from three outings and while talented all-rounder Aaron Seymour will not play on Saturday due to injury, the starting XI still present a formidable challenge.
Opener Josh Toole has hit 73 and 46 in his last two knocks, Josh Coyte boasts a 49 and lower order bat Bill Watterson a 67.
On top of that, Toole and Jeremy Nash have both claimed seven wickets and Coyte five, so Sellers knows his side needs to play well if it wants back-to-back wins.
The Tigers’ cause will be helped by the return of their leading run scorer from last season in Brad Glasson.
“We’ve got a lot of big hitters who can change the game in two or three overs, so do they. So we’ll just go at it and see what happens I guess,” Sellers said.
“We get Brad Glasson back this week, he cut his finger a work a few weeks ago, so that will strengthen us a lot.
“That win [last week] was good for our confidence and we are looking good on paper.”
The other thing that has Sellers excited is that he and his brother will line up for Bathurst in Sunday’s presidents cup match against Lithgow, with Dave set to open the batting.
“Dave hasn’t been that keen on it the last few years because of work on the weekend, so it’s going to be nice to play with him on Sunday. It should be enjoyable, we’ll have a lot of fun,” he said.
“It will be good to watch him go if it comes off.”
