THE Bankstown Sports Club Bulldogs collapsed alarmingly at Bankstown Oval last weekend during their Premier Grade Cricket clash with the Sydney Tigers.
Bankstown batted first and totalled a paltry 168 in excellent conditions. However, after a solid 38-run opening stand, it was a diabolical collapse.
Zeeshaan Ahmed was looking good but fell at 29 just when a big score seemed likely. NSW Blues Daniel Solway also looked in fine fettle but succumbed with 24 on the board. Run machine Jake Cormack showed touches of brilliance lofting the offie back over his head to the fence.
Jake also played some savage pull shots and looked in command. However, on 46 he received a sharply turning leg spinner which beat the bat and crashed into the stumps. Wicketkeeper Matt Simpson scored a defiant 21 which featured some stoic defence in the plucky knock.
Liam Marshall plundered several savage straight drives in his 16 not out but there was little other resistance.
The game continued on Sunday and the Tigers had little trouble chasing down the paltry target, declaring at 5-234 with a lead of 66 runs.
Tearaway Liam Marshall was his usual lively self and snared 1-28 from 9 enthusiastic overs. Ben Le Bas had 2-47 from 16 overs and was very hard to get away. Matt Bursa fired down 12.1 overs and conceded 0-37. Left arm spinner Ben Taylor took 3-101 from his marathon 23 overs spell but the Bulldogs were clearly outclassed.
Bankstown finished the day 4-95 in their 2nd innings before stumps were drawn.
Opening batsman Zeeshaan Ahmed hit 26 while Nick Carruthers compiled 23. In form Daniel Nicotra remained 20 not out.
