Worcestershire batter Ed Pollock made a spectacular return to action with a rapid half century for St. George CC who are well positioned to push for outright victory in the New South Wales Premier Cricket first grade two-dayer against Mosman.
Pollock had been forced to miss the previous two-day game against Sydney University through concussion after being struck by a delivery during net practice.
But the 29-year-old was cleared to face Mosman and made up for lost time by racing to 51 off just 24 balls.
After Mosman had been dismissed for 86 after being put in, Pollock came to the wicket at 1-1 in the second over and proceeded to smash his first four deliveries – from Matthew Moran – to the boundary.
The first two balls of Moran’s next over were also despatched for four and he struck the same bowler for a maximum.
Pollock then had a sequence oof 4-2-4 against Jake Turner to complete his half century before in the same over he was caught at extra cover by England Test player, Dom Bess.
In all he hit nine fours and a six with a strike rate of 212.50 before he was out with the total on 56 in the seventh over.
Pollock’s efforts helped St. George to reach a total of 228 all out in 51 overs – a first innings lead of 142 – and Mosman ended the day on 22-1 from eight overs in a game which will be completed next weekend.
Worcestershire keeper-batter Henry Cullen gave Woodville CC early momentum as they chased down a 231 target on day two of the South Australian Cricket Assoociation Premier Cricket first grade meeting with Prospect.
Prospect had been bowled out for 230 in 89.4 overs on day one and Cullen quickly made inroads by striking 37 off 31 balls with eight boundaries.
He dominated an opening stand of 57 before his dismissal with a strike rate of 119.35 to continue his good form this winter.
Woodville initially failed to capitalise on this fine start and at 132-6 the game was in the balance but Brodie Rimmer (83 not out) and Cameron Behrendt (51 not out) put on an unbroken 99 to seal victory.
Cullen’s efforts this winter have played a significant role in Woodville winning four of their six games and they are lying in third spot in the six team table.
Worcestershire all-rounder Tom Taylor was on the winning side for Altona North in their Victoria Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield one-dayer against Druids.
Taylor made 25 off 29 balls batting at number four before he was third out at 92 as Altona totalled 248 in 40 overs.
He then sent down four overs for 15 runs with the new ball and held onto a chance offered by opener Tom Hazell-Evans to make the first breakthrough.
With Druids struggling in the table, Taylor, Worcestershire’s joint leading wicket-taker in the County Championship last summer, was not required to bowl again as other members of the attack were given an opportunity.
They seized their chance and bowled out their opponents for 103 in 33.2 overs to triumph by145 runs.
