Ulladulla defeat NSW in Blind Cricket match

A sensational middle order partnership by batsman Joel Turner and Ricky Dair saw the Ulladulla Presidents X1 amazingly defeat the NSW Blind cricket team by two runs in last weeks IGA Milton International Disability Day match.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the NSW side got off to a good start when State opening batsman Darren Northey retired on 40 not out before his partner Peter Christensen was brilliantly run out by Joey Lavalle after Christensen bravely chanced Lavalle’s arm at cover after scoring 10.

With Australian wicketkeeper Mark Haskett joining the fray, the Ulladulla attack were well rewarded when skipper Ben Felten was trapped by a Peter King googly on 2 after attempting the reverse sweep and with the score at 3 for 60 and Haskett playing shots all around the wicket, the NSW side were looking on dangerous.

A quick collapse that saw two State players run out, gave the locals hope when Troy King was removed for 16 and shortly afterwards Tony Tefler departed on 1 when another fast return by Arron Basile saw the hapless Tefler well out of his crease.

When Haskett brilliantly retired on 40, the locals quickly found another gear and removed Nahmat Ullah 5, Ben Phillips 1, Henry Thineasa 10 and Nathan Difford on 1 before the State team were all out for 197 after 40 overs.

After lunch, special guest of honour and former Australian fast bowler Len Pascoe sent down a few overs before Ulladulla’s Basile was trapped in front for 18 and then Difford dramatically sent opener Chris Corrin back without score before Daniel Todechini cleverly adapted to the rules with an unbeaten 42 that propelled the middle order to mount a dramatic counterattack when Ricky Dair 34 and Joel Turner 31 blasted the state side to pieces.

Two LBW’s followed when Rhyse Hadland lost sight on 3 to a Northey off break and Joey Lavalle 9 played and missed to Northey two overs later. David Banks played across the line to King to be bowled as did Nathan Hamilton 0, then Robbie Cooke was yorked by King for 4 which then saw Peter King and Martin Doolan run out for zero and two respectively.

With only three overs remaining, an extraordinary rearguard action by Catherine Kuschert 10 and Chris Salafia 9 was raised, that saw the locals valiantly overhaul the visitors by two runs (199) in the last over with three balls to spare to complete a great day’s entertainment and pleasure.

The Ulladulla United Cricket Club and sponsors IGA Milton are to be admired for providing such a memorable occasion.

For further details check out www.ulladulla.info/blindcricket (link at top of page).

Story by Daryll Cook

Related Article:

NSW Blind Cricket Team Challenge (Fri Oct 6)