GPL#1 IS HERE! Match 1 Recap

12 Jan

Mark down 11th January 2024 as the inaugural day for the launch of the GPL!

The much-fancied Casanovas took on the Wranglers in Match #1 of the first ever Geyser Premier League (aka GPL #1). The Casanovas batted first and what a start! Scott Kusabs thundered down the first delivery which his son, Riley, quietly deposited the brand-new rock on to Devon Street…6! Matt Veitch, Maverick original, looked solid during his throw downs but that was as good as it got as he departed early. A hectic few overs followed and at 44 for 5, a short evening was expected. However, a 55-run 6^th wicket partnership between another Mav’s original, Brooke Mitchell (20 runs), and Alex Roy (44), was the feature of the innings with veteran Casanova, Barry Hogan (16), showing some fleet footed running to assist in posting a competitive 131 in their 16 overs. The Wranglers bowling was led by the now current Series#1 top wicket taker in Scott Kusabs (2 wickets) who enjoyed securing the wicket of Riley in his spell. Ravi, Nate, James and Ben proved to be hard to get away, but Dan… not so much. Gagan bowled the last over and only conceded 3 which proved telling at the end of the day.

The Collier brothers opened the bowling attack for the Wranglers and had the dangerous Manny Kumar early, but this didn’t halt Sean and Dilraj as they quickly accumulated 49 runs after just 4 overs. Ranithu continued to support Dilraj but some tight overs from Ben Dyson, Riley and Umesh had the Pharmacy boys at 83 for 4 after 11 overs, still 49 runs short 5 overs out. Josh (22*) was joined by Gagan (21*) and they calmly reduced the margin, with some luck in the field, to secure the result with 5 balls to spare. It is worth noting that Gagan was at the pointy end of both innings… Riley Kusabs also completed a handy all-round performance with his 2 overs only conceding 10 runs and the vital wicket of Sean Gapes.

The Wranglers management in Cam Monteith, Buddy Evans and captain Ravi will be pretty pleased with their team as they went about the task with some poise to secure the result. You get the feeling there is also more in their arsenal as GPL#1 evolves. You can imagine the Casanovas thinktank in Karl McKnight, Rusty McKnight and captain Alex Roy will be putting in some overtime to overturn this result in the coming rounds.

Diary in Match #2 on Thursday 8th February where the Casanovas will take on the Hostiles who will be making their GPL debut. The ‘lovers’ will be desperate not to go 0-2 whilst the Goldendeep Brar led Hostiles will be keen to confirm their aggressive reputation.

Match #1 Scorecard:

Casanovas 131 for 9 (16 overs)

Roy 44 (18 balls)

Mitchell 20 (18)

R. Kusabs 15 (5)

S. Kusabs 2 for 26 off 2 overs

Gagan 1 for 3 off 1 over

Wranglers 135 for 4 (15.1 overs)

Singh 35 (27)

Robinson 22* (22)

Gagan 21* (14)

RESULT: Wranglers win by 6 wickets