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| CAN’T TOUCH THIS:
Brendan Edmistone, a civilian playing for the Navy, attempts
to block Air Force FLGOFF Chris Cullen on his way to the hoop.
The action took place during an exhibition match prior to the
NBL finals game between the Sydney Kings and Townsville at the
Sydney Entertaiment Centre on February 16. |
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HMAS Harman surrendered its crown as the reigning champion when it lost
its annual blind cricket challenge to the Vision Impaired Cricket ACT
(VISACT) team at HMAS Harman Sports Oval on February 25.
VISACT Cricket triumphed by one wicket scoring 8-122 to Harman’s
7-124 to register its maiden victory in the challenge.
VISACT Cricket won the toss and sent HMAS Harman into bat, using modified
glasses to simulate different degrees of vision impairment and help set
a level playing field.
Harman’s opening bats began steadily with LCDR Steve Carroll (15
runs) and CPOB “Jack” Daniels 11 scoring at relative ease before
some tight bowling from Andrew Farrar-Pugh (1-12) and David Ferguson (1-35)
pegged back the score.
Just before drinks Mark Haskett (3-9) took the ball from the northern
end and his two quick wickets left the sailors struggling at drinks at
4-55 after 15 overs. In the first over after drinks Mark Haskett took
his third wicket to leave HMAS Harman looking down the barrel at 5-55.
PONPC Richard Coppleman (35 not out) and ABBM Mark Crispin (10) produced
some fine stroke play after drinks to put Harman in a strong position.
Both played some extraordinary shots to make the score respectable before
Peter Christison (2-5) changed the game’s complexion by bowling ABBM
Mark Crispin and SMNET Dwayne Casey in quick succession.
Harman’s total of 8-122, left VISACT Cricket with the game wide open.
With lunch out of the way, VISACT Cricket had a hunger for more runs and
an appetite to score quickly.
The team got off to a steady start with POPT Paul Williams (1) and Robert
Altamore (6) leading the charge for the visitors before Altamore was run
out and POPT Paul Williams was bowled comprehensively by POB Keith McLackland.
Jaspah Soegeng (23) came to the crease in the effort to lift the run rate
and push VISACT Cricket further in front of the required run rate.
After the dismissal of Altamore, World cup wicketkeeper Mark Haskett joined
Soegeng and played the anchor role as Soegeng went on a scoring blitz.
VISACT Cricket still required 66 off 90 balls after drinks, which seemed
to be an easy enough task. World Cup debutant Christison shone yet again
with the bat showing his craft as he raced to 24 not out.
Nick Haydar (18), vice-captain of the Australian team in Pakistan, joined
Peter Christison to put the game beyond reach for the home side with some
timely elegant stroke play. Farrar-Pugh scored two not out and Rodney
Burns failed to trouble the scorers.
The best of the bowlers for Harman was ABBM Mark Crispin 2-6, POB Keith
McLackland 1-15 and a run out, and CPOB “Jack” Daniels 1-13.
HMAS Harman’s man of the match was PONPC Richard Coppleman and for
VISACT Cricket it was a solid “team effort”.
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