Stand-in Casey-South Melbourne captain Craig Entwistle was in sublime touch on his way to an unbeaten tally of 138 against Melbourne University at Casey Fields on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
MIDWEEK words of wisdom from former Australian Test captain Graham Yallop inspired Casey-South Melbourne to a much-improved effort at Casey Fields on Saturday.
After a dismal batting display on day one of their clash with Melbourne University, the Swans watched as their opponents claimed first innings points with ease.
Casey-South Melbourne president Yallop, who at 55 is still competitive in the club’s third XI, took it upon himself to stir the players into action.
Stand-in skipper Craig Entwistle agreed with Yallop’s conclusion that the Swans needed to lift in all facets of the game.
“The performance wasn’t good and we didn’t show enough fight last week,” Entwistle said.
“The wicket was not the greatest in the first hour, but if we had fought through we might have been okay and we might have posted a reasonable score.
“But we failed to do it and it was disappointing and we had to pull our heads in a bit.”
Resuming at 4/233 in reply to Casey-South Melbourne’s feeble 106, Scott Sanders (108 not out off 63 balls, 18 fours) and Huw Birrell (79 not out off 85, 10 fours) added a further 71 runs to the total.
After reaching 4/304 and amassing a commanding 198-run first innings lead, the students declared to chase outright points.
What Melbourne University found was a much more determined Swans’ line-up.
Debutant Rhys Serpanchy (23 off 98), who was out for a golden duck in the opening dig, showed plenty of resilience as he and Entwistle (138 not out off 196, 18 fours and one six) combined brilliantly.
Serpanchy retired hurt with cramp in his right leg on 17 and the score at 78, but returned after Englishman Chris Benham (43 off 71, eight fours) was out.
But the innings belonged to last year’s Victorian Premier Cricket team of the year selection Entwistle.
After a magnificent debut season at Casey Fields in 2007-08, the veteran’s form has fluctuated this summer.
Entwistle posted a duck in the first innings, but, other than the one chance he offered the second time around, he was back to his best.
In another difficult season for Casey-South Melbourne, he has still been one of its top batsmen alongside Benham and Australian under-19 prodigy Clive Rose.
Another first-gamer in Jake Best provided stoic support for Entwistle, even initiating several mid-wicket exchanges to calm his captain down after a couple of mistimed shots.
Ultimately the afternoon came to an early close, with no further result possible as the Swans sat at 2/225.
Entwistle showed his class in agreeing to end play despite being four runs shy of eclipsing his top score of 141, which he achieved against Fitzroy-Doncaster last season.
Casey-South Melbourne’s cause was no doubt aided by the fact first innings destroyer Ashley Robertson only managed two overs before leaving the ground with a back injury.
Birrell also vacated the arena during the Swans’ innings due to a hand injury.
Looking to end a four-match losing streak, Casey-South Melbourne begins its two-day encounter with North Melbourne from 11am on Saturday.
The fixture was originally scheduled for Arden Street, but has been moved to Casey Fields.
Tim Dale is a chance to return from a nagging ankle injury and captain Michael Hansen will be back in uniform after a training mishap before the Melbourne University outing.
