Wanderers opening batsman Spencer Noyon, who scored an excellent 91, lets a David Hooper delivery go harmlessly through to the wicketkeeper. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0605364)
SOMETIMES it helps to have an Aussie. Wanderers’ crushing 161-run defeat of Argyll Investment at the KGV on Saturday was built on the back of a destructive century from Australian Ben Taylor.
‘The Aussie batted quality today,’ said Wanderers captain Ben Driver. ‘If he comes off, he comes off. We’ve got a strong top six now so it gives him licence to go at it.’
The 25-year-old Taylor, who is from Sydney, smacked 100 exactly off just 62 balls. He hit a couple of the biggest sixes you are ever likely to see with one sailing high past the Dave Fisher tree and deep into Les Blancs Bois.
The all-rounder has certainly made an impression since he arrived on the island at the start of the season with his left arm swing and hard hitting. Big and brash like his cricket, Taylor was unusually modest about his innings afterwards. ‘It was all right – I didn’t expect it,’ he said.
‘I came in with 25 overs gone so I only had 20 overs to bat. I made the most of it.
‘I hit a few nice sixes, which is always nice.’
Someone who possibly was not too impressed with Taylor was his batting partner Spencer Noyon, who was denied his chance of reaching a century as Taylor took a single off the last delivery for three consecutive overs towards the end.
Noyon was out in the final over for 91 as he went for bust to get to the milestone.
Wanderers ended up on 273.
The one positive from Argylls’ effort in the field was the performance of their juniors.
Matt Breban took a couple of wickets opening up the attack with Dave Hooper, who is another player to look out for in the future.
Argylls had a huge task on their hands with the bat and they never looked like they were going to get near Wanderers’ imposing target.
If they stood a chance, a lot depended on their own big hitting Aussie and captain, Justin Meades, who stated that he was now committed to playing full time again.
But when the captain went for 26, stumped off the bowling of Steve Birkett when a low full toss bounced back off keeper’s pads and onto his wicket, the game was up for Argylls.
Veteran left arm spinner Birkett returned the best figures of the match with five for 34 as Argylls were dismissed for just 112.
‘It was a long day,’ said Meades.
‘Wanderers this year have been good and they should be up there with Cobo competing for the CI title. They will give most sides a run for their money.
‘There was no love in the track for our bowlers and our batsmen threw their wickets away.’
The result cements Argylls to fourth spot and the last place in the Natwest CI Club Championship while Wanderers have made second place their own.
The side that last year came to have the dubious pleasure of being in the Sid Guy Trophy, have been the surprise package this season.
That has been thanks to Taylor’s contribution with the bat and ball and also to runs from Driver, Noyon and Ross Kneller.
‘Well happy coming second,’ said Driver.
‘We came last last year and we’ve now handed the Sid Guy over to Optimists. I think we’ve got a good team morale and we’re at it more professionally this year.
‘And it helps having the top order playing every week. Our bowling has always been strong but our batting has been as well this season.’
Article posted on 14th July, 2008 - 2.29pm
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