Country Week 2022/23 has been full of surprises for the Castlemaine and District Cricket Association (CDCA).
The U13 team has had a successful start to the campaign. Competing in Pool A against the top age Ballarat and Gisborne sides as well as the Grampians. In both round 1 and 2 they have recorded wins to put themselves in contention for the final for the first time in many years.
Round 1
Tuesday saw a nail biting win over Gisborne. After being asked to bat first, the CDCA got off to a strong start reaching 1-105 in the 22nd over. Great batting from Dec Brasher (43) and Jack Archer (24) built great momentum for the innings, however, a great collapse ensued. Charlie Cordy was the only other batsman to reach 10 and the team was dismissed for 136.Gisborne started in a very positive manner making the most of some wayward bowling reaching 2-76 by the 22nd over. Castlemaine struggled to take consecutive wickets and Gisborne continued to build partnerships and with 10 overs to go, Gisborne only needed 43 to win with seven wickets in hand. Great second spells from Jack Smith (0/11 off 6) and Dec Brasher (2/12 off 6) helped to bring the game down to the last ball where a run out from Abe Isdale resulted in a one run win to Castlemaine.
Round 2
Castlemaine travelled to Stawell Wednesday to play the Grampians. Grampians won the toss and batted first and were held well early with the first seven overs bringing only 7 runs and some missed catches. From this point, the Grampians accelerated as Castlemaine missed chances in the field. Throughout the remainder of the innings, the runs came at about 4 per over and the Grampians reached 133 before being dismissed. In the best performances it was a special day for Will Garsed in his first Country Week match. A late inclusion into the team, Will took 4/20 with his leg spin as well as a catch. Other performances of note were Ted Cordy also picking up 2/16 and a catch, Fletcher McAinch 1/9, Rufus Bester 1/10 and Dec Brasher three catches.The run chase got off to a shaky start with the loss of both openers leaving Castlemaine 2-10. There was an excellent rebuild of the innings by Jack Archer and Charlie Cordy as Castlemaine saw off the early accurate bowling and then accelerated as the loose balls began to flow. When Jack Archer retired on 43 we had 36 runs to win with ten overs remaining. Cullen Foreman joined Charlie Cordy and after a period of time settling in, the pair closed out the match with five overs to spare. Charlie hit 39 not out and Cullen made 23 not out.
Heading into Thursday’s match, Castlemaine were scheduled to face Ballarat in round 3 at Muckleford and then again in the final in Ballarat on Friday. It will be the first time in many years where CDCA will compete in the main final in U13 Junior Country Week and the association looks forward to seeing what our players can do.