The 2001 ADF cricket side prior to their match at the Sydney Cricket Ground: (back row L-R) WO1 Barry James (coach), CAPT Mark Jackson, LS Nick Knight (c), SMN Glenn Cleary, CPL Geoff Ingram, AB Guy Randell, PO Shaune Guppy, LAC Mitchell Dockett; (front row L-R) WO2 Jim Johnston, SPR Craig Kolaritsch, LAC Michael Gunn, CPL Chris Budden, LAC Dean O'Byrne, LS Craig Watkins CFN Jason Hahn.

The Navy's LS Nick Knight received the honour of being named captain of a talented ADF cricket side that contested two matches following the ADF national titles at Richmond.

The first game saw the ADF side up against a NSW XI on the hallowed SCG turf on Wednesday, February 21, followed by a another game against the ACT Cricket Academy in Canberra on Friday, February 23.

LS Knight, a first-time captain of the side, said the 14-man squad contained a good mix from each Service, with six Army players, five from the Navy and three from the RAAF.

"There's not too many people who get to play on the SCG that's for sure, and that's probably the big buzz for all of us, plus just getting away and playing cricket for a couple of week is always excellent," said LS Knight.

However, Knight was realistic about the side's chances against quality opposition and aimed to just be competitive, with the NSW XI containing a mix of Sydney first grade players and the ACT Cricket Academy being a youth squad of up and comers.

"If we could pull off a win, we'd be over the moon, but at the end of the day we just want to be real competitive. If anyone performs against these teams, that'll be a real feather in their cap," he added.

The full ADF squad is: Army - CPL Chris Budden, SPR Craig Kolaritsch, WO2 Jim Johnston, CAPT Mark Jackson, CFN Jason Hahn, CPL Geoff Ingram; Navy - LS Nick Knight (c), AB Guy Randell, PO Shaune Guppy, AB Glenn Cleary, AB Craig Watkins; RAAF - LAC Dean O'Byrne, LAC Mitchell Dockett, LAC Michael Gunn.

At the end of both matches, the ADF side was more than competitive, but outclassed in both matches.

Against the NSW XI, the home side scored freely after losing its first wicket from the opening ball of the innings, finishing the 50 overs with a score of 5/352. Of the ADF bowlers, Mitchell Dockett took 2/58 off eight overs, while Ingram, Watkins and Jackson took one wicket each.

In reply, the ADF side was bowled out for 179 runs off 47.2 overs, with Mark Jackson, batting at number nine, top scoring with 33. Guy Randell was next best with 29, while Shaune Guppy posted 21.

At Boonamulla Oval in Canberra, the ADF side was fresh from a day's rest but again faced very humid conditions against the ACT Cricket Academy, who batted first and scored 4/273 off 50 overs. Opening bowler Jason Hahn was easily the best for the ADF with 1/29 off ten overs.

The ADF was bowled out for 194 after 37 overs, with Michael Gunn, batting at number three, posting a top score of 67. ACT left-arm spin bowler Daniel Pascoe proved the biggest problem for the ADF attack, taking 4/36 off nine overs.

The ADF side now looks forward to its next tour, that being to New Zealand in February 2002.

By Michael Weaver