In a Bairnsdale Cricket Association season, where we have seen some extraordinary innings, West Bairnsdale star, Brodie Anderson has outdone everyone, making a sensational 211 not out last Saturday against St Mary’s Nagle at Nagle College in round six action.
His double century come off the back of a swashbuckling 184 from just 155 balls from Paynesville import Nathan Schoultz and an equally impressive 126 from just 77 deliveries from Meerlieu’s Jay Peiris in recent weeks.
The undisputed hardest man in the competition to get out, Anderson opened the innings and batted throughout his side’s whole 80 over allocation, as the reigning premier posted an astonishing 4/425.
The tireless Anderson faced 238 balls and hit an impressive 23 boundaries in hot and sticky conditions, forming productive alliances with Sam Stewart (24), skipper Ryan Halford (61), Adam Hudson (27), Allen Lipson (28) and Sam Watts (45).
Anderson was involved in an opening partnership of 88 with Stewart, before combining with Halford for a 132 run unison, which frustrated Nagle, whose bowling stocks are limited with key playmaker, Ricky Tatnell restricted by injury.
Spinner Harvey Spaxman was required to do a lot of the heavy lifting, bowling 27 overs for the unflattering figures of 2/135, and he may have nightmares for some time over the difficult caught and bowled chance that Anderson off up.
Watts innings late in the day coming from just 24 balls, as he added 77 with Anderson in just eight overs, as the pair teed off on some tired bowling, which had battled the oppressive heat, which caused the abandonment of the lower grades of the competition.
Nagle toiled long and hard for 80 overs, watching one of the great innings in the history of the competition from the front row, from a player whose status in the competition continues to grow by the season.
Halford was in aura of his teammates effort.
“The way he concentrated and worked hard for 80 overs in that heat was impressive, you won’t see too many better innings than that, it was a privilege to be a part of,” Halford said.
Nagle will be hoping for similar conditions this week, a belting wicket, though the early rain in the week may make the ground slower.
“Its a massive score, definitely well above par, on the best pitch I’ve ever batted on at Nagle,” Halford said.
With a huge score to defend, Halford is sure to set attacking fields and put pressure on Nagle right from the start of the day, Wests keen to convert a huge score into a possible outright victory, a situation made easier by the fact the total looks out of reach, baring a Brayden McCarrey masterclass that is always possible if the breaks go his way.
