CRICKET
ROYAL Challengers Bangalore, Sri Lanka, Middlsex and now CYMS.
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The reigning Royal Hotel Cup champions plundered 4-240 in a mammoth 139-run smoking of Molong on Friday night, reaching a mark only a few sides in world cricket have exceeded since the Twenty20 format swept the cricketing landscape a decade ago.
On the back of Matt Baker’s 85, a quick-fire 54 from guest-player Ben McAlpine and a composed, unbeaten 50 from Dave Neil, the green and golds set what proved to be an insurmountable task for the Molong batsmen and the highest 20-over total at Wade Park since the Orange District Cricket Association embraced the shortest form of cricket in 2012.
The highest total in the history of Twenty20 cricket was set in the Indian Premier League, with Royal Challengers smashing 5-263 in 2013.
The highest in Orange prior to CYMS’ record was Cavaliers’ Stu Middleton-inspired total of 3-213 two seasons ago.
McAlpine, who took particular liking to the opening bowling of Joel Goff (1-59) and John Mulhall (1-48) and landed one of his sixes on top of the roof of the Wade Park grand stand, said it was great being part of such a total.
“They were bowling pretty short so it was there to hit,” he said.
“It’s not like second grade where you go out to smash every ball, it’s a bit different but I’m enjoying it.”
It was nigh on a complete performance for the green and golds.
Aside from the obvious batting exploits, CYMS bowlers conjured up four maidens to help restrict Molong to 7-101 from their allotted overs - Brett Wykes’ 31 opening the batting the only real score for the visitors.
Mitch Winslade bagged 4-23 from his four overs, and would have had a break-through first grade five-for if not for a Mick Delaney dropped catch late in the Molong innings.
CYMS now sit atop of the Royal Hotel Cup’s pool A and square-off in a blockbuster final group stage clash with Cavaliers on Friday, January 8.
The winner will assume top place in pool A.
McAlpine won’t be part of that contest, though, but was confident the group would be up for the challenge.
“CYMS have got a great team this year,” he said.
“We haven’t really played any of the top teams yet ... Kinross was alright but the boys are keen for that Cavs game.”
Centrals take on CYMS Moroneys in the next Royal Hotel Cup game in pool B on Wednesday night.
5-263 - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Pune Warriors India
6-260 - Sri Lanka v Kenya
3-254 - Middlesex v Gloucestershire
3-250 - Somerset v Gloucestershire
6-248 - Australia v England
