Senior stars as XLCR lift Grace Shield
EXCELSIOR High’s Raewin Senior 12-wicket haul carved out a 221-victory over Eltham High to win the 2016 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Grace Shield High School cricket title in the three-day final at the Melbourne Cricket Club on Wednesday.
Excelsior’s win ended a 53-year drought since they last won in 1963, back then the competition was called Sunlight Cup.
The three-day final came to a quick conclusion on Wednesday morning as Excelsior made easy inroads on the five-time champions Eltham’s batting in just 75 minutes, where the St Catherine-based aggregation lost their last seven wickets for only 32 runs.
Scores at the end of the three-day match were: Excelsior High 228 all out off 79 overs, and 178 all out off 46 overs; Eltham High 96 all out off 45 overs, and 90 all out off 43.2 overs.
Left-arm orthodox spinner, 15-year-old Senior, was the main destroyer of Eltham’s batting in both innings as he completed another six-wicket haul in the second innings, similar to the first innings were he also grabbed six wickets.
He first took six for 26 off 18 overs and six for 34 off 17 overs for match figures of 12 wickets for 60 runs.
Senior was ably supported by Captain Orande Pearson and Rushawn Riley, who both took three wickets apiece in the first and second innings, respectively, in Excelsior’s mammoth and convincing win.
Meanwhile, Eltham who trailed by 253 runs at the close of play on the second day, resumed at 58 for three wickets and were never given the opportunity to settle down. With only two runs added to the overnight score, Senior captured the wicket of Shamori Duffus leg before who failed to make any additional runs to his overnight three.
Eltham lost their fifth wicket at 83 when Senior bowled Junior Robinson for his overnight five runs. Riley, who is also a left-handed spinner, came into the limelight as he had Romone Donegal caught at the wicket by Shamarae Lindo for one to leave Eltham in deep trouble, losing their sixth wicket with only 83 runs on the board.
