Bat breaker falls short

BIG-HITTING Arnold opener

Cody Anderson fell a run short of posting a remarkable century against Boort Yando on Saturday.

Anderson finished the innings unbeaten on 99 off 113 balls - 16 of those runs coming in the final over when he punished Boort bowler Alex Cockerell.

After three no balls, Anderson took to a full toss and sent the ball flying over fine leg for a six, followed with his eighth boundary and rounded off with another six.

Anderson had enjoyed a 54-run opening partnership until Drew Crilly claimed the crucial wicket of Phil Scholes.

But Anderson had luck on his side with Boort dropping several opportunities in the field and breaking a bat mid-innings.

Cockerell had the next breakthrough when he bowled Michael Dale when Arnold was on 128.

Ryan Metelmann was also giving good support to Anderson until Cockerell claimed his second wicket of the day.

Boort, having its first game at home for the season, was set a huge 182 target to chase.

Wendels combined with Davies to put the first dent in Boort’s hopes, having Smith out for just four runs.

Skipper Jarrod Hodoras was dismissed just overs later and followed by Cockerell, straight after a boundary, when McCullough claimed the first of his two wickets for the day.

Tensions were high and briefly boiled over on the field. Without adding to the score, McCullough struck again with the vital wicket of opener Blake Slatter and Boort was 4-53.

Crilly and tailender Melville offered some resistance to the relentless bowling attack of Arn old but could not get the better of Ben Metelmann and Drew.

While batting out the 35 overs, Boort fell 78 runs short, the loss putting them on the bottom of the ladder and facing a real chal- lenge to make finals. Boort’s task becomes no easier in the penultimate game of the season on Saturday against Wedderburn.

However, a slip by Arnold or Kingower could change the landscape.