Gallery | Waaia has its way with Numurkah bowlers, posting a formidable day one total in Haisman Shield

By Liam Nash

Nov 24, 2024

Waaia’s Damien Atkins whips one down the leg side against Numurkah. Photo by Megan Fisher

Waaia had its foot on the pedal on Saturday, soaring a score even the most confident of Cricket Shepparton contenders would gulp at.

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The Bombers travelled to Numurkah to meet the plucky Blues on their back paddock and, after winning the toss and electing to bat, the travellers settled in for a long day at the batting crease.

After 80 overs, Waaia had banked 278 runs for the loss of nine wickets — but remarkably, only one Bomber raised the blade during a top team showing by Mitch Cleeland’s men.

Opener Damien Atkins was the sole half-centurion, starting the post in pink touch as he raced to 50 before being dismissed by Ragu Aravinthan.

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Numurkah fielder Nathan Gossayn checks himself before he wrecks himself. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Waaia batter Damien Atkins loads up a well timed cut shot. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Numurkah fielder Riley Dawson chases after the ball with plenty of vim. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Numurkah wicket keeper Dylan Grandell stays sharp behind the stumps. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Waaia’s Jordan Cleeland walks in as Numurkah’s Ben Beaumont delivers. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Numurkah fielder Ragu Aravinthan winds up a rocket into the keeper. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Numurkah bowler Ben Beaumont rips one down. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Numurkah bowler Riley Dawson strides down to unleash a thunderbolt. Photo by Megan Fisher

He worked alongside Brayden Carey (14) and Jordan Cleeland (16) before Waaia’s middle order chipped in with some handy contributions, mainly coming from Brenton Low (26) and Cleeland himself (36).

But if the middle order was bold, the lower order was even braver.

Batting at seven, Joshua Smith produced the second largest score of the day as he belted a dashing 49, stopped by Bailey Smith one run shy of a measured half-century.

Meanwhile, number nine batter Jacob Johnson came in clutch with a late 38, while Jesse Trower, batting at 10, added another 19 unbeaten runs to Waaia’s tally to aid the visiting side to a formidable total on away soil.

For the home side, Matt Cline led the line with 3-40 off 14 overs, while Ben Beaumont, Smith and Aravinthan each snared two wickets during a long and hot day in the field for Numurkah.

The Blues will look to their premier bats such as Aravinthan and James Du Toit to chase down the runs on day two with a full-faceted display needed to surpass Waaia’s strong total.