News

After recovering from the loss of early wickets, the Ireland Wolves ended Day 1 with a lead of 290 runs, while the Gloucestershire 2nd XI have 10 wickets in hand.
Captain Jack Tector and Simi Singh who made an unbeaten 107 on Day 1 are looking forward to Day 2 of the Wolves match with Gloucestershire CCC 2nds at Rockhampton from 11am this morning.
Coming to the wicket with the Wolves 72/4, Singh knew he had to “dig in and be really difficult” to bowl to. He said that James McCollum (52) helped him out at the beginning as “the ball was really swinging and the pitch was doing a little bit, it was up and down.”

Both kept up the intent to punish the bad ball and put the pressure on the bowlers as they built a partnership and momentum heading into lunch. After lunch, Shane Getkate (43) and Nathan Smith (30) ably supported Singh and brought the Wolves passed 300.

“Gets (Getkate) batted beautifully and with intent from ball one. We’re similar kinds of players and play our strokes. It was a good period for us, the spinners were on and it put pressure on them. He played his shots, got some boundaries and got us in a good position.

“Nathan was really brilliant the way he faced the seamers and was brilliant support. Their seamers didn’t give us many bad balls, they were really disciplined and it was a good challenge on that pitch as well,” Singh added.

For all his praise of his support it was Singh who carried his bat when the Wolves were dismissed for 330. After the change of innings, there were 13 overs left for the Gloucestershire side to face before the close.

Miles Hammond and Alex Barrow saw the hosts to 40 without loss at the close of play, still 290 runs shy of the Wolves total. The Wolves might have been disappointed to not have taken a wicket in that late mini-session but having been 24/3 at one point; they were more than pleased at the end of Day 1.

Skipper for the match Jack Tector confirming as much; “yeah, really happy over all, James McCollum early doors, when it was tough, ground it out and batted really well. Simi played a superb innings well supported by Nathan Smith, Lorcan and Gets in the middle sessions so really happy overall to get to where we are.”

“It was a pity not to take a few wickets in the evening session but I think the pitch is quite up and down so hopefully this morning and leading into the afternoon sessions we can put the ball in the right areas and hopefully the rest will look after itself. It’s starting to turn a bit so hopefully spin will play a big part also,” Tector added.

The Wolves will be looking to start quickly on Day 2 and take early wickets as they look to press home the advantage given to them by their batsmen against a good bowling attack from 11am.

Cricket Ireland
Action from Rockhampton CC on Day 1 of the Ireland Wolves v Gloucestershire CCC 2nd XI
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Connaught