 AC, JC star with the ball to secure a win
Thanks to the timely placement of covers on Thursday night, a flat, hard track greeted that Jazz for Day 2 of their encounter with North Sydney. With the overnight score poised at 8/291, the Campbell brothers deviously foxed with their pads on during the warm-up, leaving the Bears none the wiser to their immediate future. Eventually the umpires turned up, the ground was declared suitable for play and the Gordon innings was closed at 291.
James Campbell on his way to 5 for the day
In the meantime, the Campbell brothers had swapped bat for ball and were limbering up in the dressing room. After featuring prominently in the Academy game the day before, Alex “AC, Junior, Weird Al” Campbell and James “JC, Senior” Campbell were primed for a big day. JC took the first over and had the batsmen in all sorts with his hooping inswing. AC opened up from the other end, and, buoyed by a meticulous spell of line and length bowling the day before, opted to start without a fine-leg. AC then proceeded to bowl one-side of the wicket (the offside), before cleaning up one of the openers with a less-than-well judged leave. Not to be out done, JC then had the number three playing then not playing then dabbing on, before having the number four caught in the slips in the same over. The brothers then took another wicket each to have the bears reeling at 5 for 7. Unfortunately AC was suffering from a back strain and needed to be replaced after four impressive overs with the figures of 2 for 12. Dave Millar replaced AC and was unlucky not to claim a couple early. After a great spell by JC, Sam Ranney took over and continued to apply the pressure.
 The Bears built a solid partnership for the sixth wicket, before Selby snuck an LBW. JC replaced Selby and claimed another wicket to end with the outstanding figures of 4 for 16 off 13. While at the other end Justin Avendano warmed to the task, tossing the ball up dangerously then occasionally ripping a wrong-un to completely bamboozle the batsmen. Eventually Justin was rewarded with an LBW, and economical figures of 1 for 13. A great diving save and return to Tim Creed behind the stumps, saw Sam Ranney affect a sharp run out. Sam replaced Avendano and quickly claimed the final wicket. North Sydney were all out for 130, with a minimum of 25 overs remaining in the day.
Junior, AC, fires one down the day before in the Academy game
The Bears were sent back in and were in trouble early with JC trapping one of the openers in front. Cam Brown then displayed some great fielding to catch one of the bats short of his ground, before Millar induced a skied pull shot which was safely held by James Martin. As the overs remaining were dwindling and with AC unable to bowl again, the match was called to a close, with North Sydney 3 for 34 in their second dig.
A great result for the Jazz, who dominated the entire match against a side that won outright the week before. The lads didn’t give an inch with bat or ball, playing out both days of cricket. Hugh Selby |
