Former Tasmanian star Damien Wright’s unbeaten century salvaged a draw for Casey-South Melbourne against Essendon at Casey Fields on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
IT TOOK until round six, but everyone at Casey Fields now knows just how valuable Damien Wright is to Casey-South Melbourne.
Wright joined the Swans this season after crossing the Bass Strait to accept a contract with the Victorian Bushrangers.
He left Tasmania as that state’s all-time leading first-class wicket-taker and, after a brief debut appearance for Casey-South Melbourne in round one, he well and truly announced himself against Essendon on the weekend.
Wright’s unbeaten 123 from 160 balls – and a similarly impressive innings from Tim Dale (45 runs from 72) – enabled the Swans to hang on for a draw after the hosts looked in deep trouble early on.
The two-day clash did not resume until 3.20pm after overnight rain leaked under the covers, leaving a significant area around the pitch wet.
Wright, who has been on state duties for much of the season, came to the crease with Casey-South Melbourne in dire straits at 3/14 in reply to the Bombers’ imposing 8/345 declared.
Left-armer David McKay (3/32) – brother of Bushrangers’ quick Clinton – picked up gloveman Tom Hussey’s scalp soon after to restrict the Swans to 4/17.
But that is where the rot ended as Wright and the much-maligned Dale set about rescuing Casey-South Melbourne from another embarrassing defeat.
Wright was confident right from the outset, bringing up his half-century from just 52 balls, but most importantly served as a calming presence for the often-tempestuous Dale.
There were none of the rash shots that contributed to Dale scoring just four runs in three innings at one stage this season.
Wright brought up his ton with a single, but it was his boundary-thudding off-drive to move to 99 that typified his knock.
He even smashed two sixes and a four in the last over of the day to put an exclamation mark on what was a magnificent solo display.
But Essendon will rue Mitchell Johnstone dropping a relatively straight-forward chance in the slips when Wright was on 43.
Wright’s and Dale’s 128-run union ended when part-time spinner Scott Bryant trapped the latter in front, but it was all too late for the Bombers.
The Swans finished on 6/199.
There was just as much drama in the clubs’ second XI contest.
Bombers captain Darren Cullen made an unforgivable blunder early in the day when he declared his side’s innings closed with the scores tied after thinking Essendon was one-run ahead.
Casey-South Melbourne then almost stole an outright victory, despite wicketkeeper Nathan Hibbins having to go to hospital after a bail flicked straight into his eye.
Hibbins is suffering from bleeding behind the eye and will sit out this weekend.
Swans head coach Mark Ridgway was disappointed in his top order, but was glowing in his praise of former Tasmanian teammate Wright.
“Damien was tremendous – he just played each ball on its merits,” he said.
“If it’s a good ball he keeps it out and if it’s a bad ball he whacks it. Batting is not rocket science and if you haven’t got a defence you can’t attack.
“He’s a leader and people follow his lead – they’ve never had people like him around the place before.
“The blokes in the past couldn’t lead pigs to be dirty.”
Casey-South Melbourne will seek its elusive first win of the season when it begins its two-day game with Richmond at Punt Road from 11am on Saturday.
