Milo Squad had a ball at the MCG on the 3rd day of the 2011 Boxing Day Test

 

 

Junior Coordinator Jason Bulner said that the Milo In-2-Cricket squad and their parents had a ball after accepting the invitation by Cricket Australia for our clinic to participate in On Field Entertainment at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test.

 

Ten children from our group, and Jason, played on the MCG during the lunch break of the Test Match between Australia and India on Wednesday December 28, 2011.

 

Cricket Victoria provided 22 tickets to our group providing free entry to the ground. 

 

We thank Cricket Victoria for this great opportunity for the kids and parents and above all Jason Bulner for coordinating this special event.

 

Senior Cricket - Christmas Comes Early for the Seniors

1st XI

The 1st XI finally cracked their first win of the season with a hard fought win over Sunshine United. Bowling to a big score for the first time this season, let the bowlers get into a rhythm. Paul Dowling bowled economically to put the screws on before Raheel Hussain (3), Mathew Montesano (3) and Birinder Sandhu (2) took the crucial wickets. The team eventually won the match by 39 runs. The win lifts us off the bottom and surprisingly within striking distance of the top four.

 

On day 1 the 1st XI finally cracked the ton for team totals and did they do it in style. Sent in to bat by Sunshine Heights, the familiar story of quick wickets started to unfold. Brenton Whale was out to a grubber and Raheel Hussain out for a duck, and when Will Cunningham was run out the team was 3 for not too many.

 

Then enter Matthew Montesano and Adnan Khan who both batted with intent to score the first half centuries for the turf grades this season. They were well supported by Satinder Gill and Birinder Sandhu who both made 20s to finish the day all out for 215.

 

The bowlers now have something to bowl to, and provided they bowl good line and length then the first win of the season should be achieved.

 

2nd XI

Commencing the day at 2 for 65 the team needed another 204 runs to take the points, a target that given recent batting form was formidable. That didn't phase Raj Palkar or Onkar Singh who set about getting on top of the Sunshine Heights attack. Raj went on to make his maiden 50 for the club and Onkar was run out for 47. Work still needed to be done and Paul Adami steadied the ship with 25 before Bahadur Sodhi (46), Amit Nayyar (47) and Lachwinder Singh (32) took the team past the target for the teams first win of the season. Vikramjit Sandhu (11) and Alfredo Teixiera (4) were both not out when stumps were drawn with the team 8 for 317

 

On day 1 the 2nd XI had a hard day at the office with Sunshine Heights scoring 269 but our batsman have hit back to be 2 for 65 at stumps. On the lightening quick Sunshine Heights ground and the short straight boundaries, conventional batting should see the guys push for a first innings result.

 

4th XI

The 4th XI traveled to Roxburgh Park for their one dayer on the hard wicket.

Bowling first the team dismissed Roxburgh Park for 88. Dave Busutill took 4 wickets but first gamer (under 14 Daniel Cunningham) continued his dream day taking 2/0 in his first senior appearance for the club.

 

Captain Tony Cutri (who hasn't batted much this season) opened the innings and took the result beyond doubt with an unbeaten 58. Dave also made 16 not out to cap off a good game.

 

With the 3rd XI having a bye, this win gave the seniors 3 out of 3 for the weekend and was a welcome Christmas present to the club. Well done guys.

Avondale Heights new Centurions secure win for the under 14s

Not content with their 50's, both Scott Russell and Jacob Cutri went on to pummel the Craigiburn attack to score centuries.

 

Both resuming on 50 not out from last week due to confusion with the new split innings rules, Jacob and Scott took off from where they left off.

 

Scott was the first Avondale Heights junior to score a century since Aaron Shellie in 2007-08, and the first Under 14 at the club to hit a century as compulsory retirement in this age group was 50 before this season.

 

Not to be out done, Jacob brought up his century soon after.

 

Daniel Cunningham who was sick last week then came out to finish the innings with a quick fire 50 off 14 balls.

 

At the end of the 50 overs the team had scored a massive 338 runs.

 

Check out this seasons Hall Of Fame here.

 

Raj Palkar makes 50

Raj Palkar is the next of a growing number of Avondale Heights players to make 50 this season. With all the focus on the junior batting, the Seniors are starting to catch up with 4 50s in the last 2 weeks.

Raj's innings set the foundation for the 2nd XI's first win.

 

The club seems to be getting some depth in its batting.

Scardamaglia hits 50

In a growing trend in the under 14's Jake Scardamaglia hit the 5th 50 for the team this season and his first ever.

 

Jake who decided to play cricket at the last minute has had a big year in his first season back after three seasons away from the game.

 

According to coach Rocco Montesano, he hasn't missed a beat and this will be the first of many 50s for Jake. Well done Jake.

Daniel Cunningham scores 50

Daniel Cunningham joined the growing number of Under 14s to make their maiden 50.

 

Coming in late in the innings Daniel raced to his 50 off 14 balls with some massive hitting.

 

Daniel had been threatening to get to 50 al season and this week he finally got there to be the 4th under 14 to score a 50 this season.

Tex takes career best figures

Alfredo Teixiera took over the bowling in the 3rd XI match v Moonee Valley and performed well taking career best figures of 3/32 off 7 overs including being on a hattrick. All wickets were unassisted with 2 lbw's and a bowled.

 

His bowling was superb given the previous 9 overs from that end went for 84 runs before he took the ball.

Palazzo Raffle Prize Winner

The club would like to thank Palazzo for the contribution of 2 meal vouchers for the raffle at the clubs Christmas Party. The vouchers valued at $50 each were both won by Peter Markham who said he will give them to his sister as a thank-you.

 

 

For those who didn't win - when you are next looking for a place to eat or grab some good takeaway - support the business that supports your club. Palazzo Pizza - Wests Road Maribyrnong.

Jacob Cutri Scores 1st 50

The under 14s had another maiden 50 with Jacob Cutri hitting his highest score with an unbeaten 50 in the match against Craigieburn. Together with Scott Russell who backed up his maiden 50 last round with another unbeaten 50, Jacob set up a big chance for a win in the split format match.

 

Congratulations Jacob on the half century.

Scott Russell hits first 50

Congratulations to Scott Russell who hit his maiden 50 in the T20 match against Strathmore on Wednesday night.

Scott has been in fine form since coming back from his tennis commitments. His 50 backed up a solid 36 in Saturdays narrow loss to Aberfeldie. See how his career has developed over the years.

 

 

Ben Heppell has a day out

Ben Heppell continued the spinning trend in the 3rds taking 6 for 26 in the win over Keilor in round 5. This now takes the number of wickets taken by spinners in the 3rds to 23 with

Rohit Allada taking 8,

Matthew Dougherty 5 and

Gurmeet Singh 4

 

in the matches Ben has captained.

Rohit Allada takes 8 wickets

Rohit Allada narrowly missed taking club best figures by finishing with 8 for 35 for the 3rd XI in round 1 aganst St Andrews Pascoe Vale. Matthew Dougherty and Ben Heppell took the other two wickets of the day. This caps a good weekend for Rohit who took 4 at Footscray-Edgewater on Saturday. See all this seasons hall of fame prerformances.

Raghbir Singh hits 60 for 2nds

Raghbir Singh was promoted to the top of the order in the Round 1 2nd XI match against Seabrook with great success. Raghbir hit a masterful 60 runs in his innings to set up a great chance for victory. Unfortunately the middle and lower order couldn't capitalise on his great inings to bring home the victory.

Under 16 Team Withdrawn

Due to lack of numbers and lack of interest, the club has regrettfully decided to withdraw its under 16 team for the season.

Under 16 players have been asked to consider playing seniors for the club this season.

 

Ben Heppell Resigns as Coach

Benny Heppell has resigned as coach of the Avondale Heights Cricket Club due to work commitments.

He will play on Sundays for the 3rd XI and continue his association with the club. Ben believed he could not do the job justice given his other commitments and the committee accepted that decision.

New Curator Appointed

The club would like to welcome Neil Greelish who will be aour club curator for season 2011-12. Neil is experienced in preparing wickets at Seddon and Yarraville as well as being greens keeper at Keilor Golf Course. The Senior Turf Teams and the Under 10's who play out of Canning are glad Neil is on board.

4 Senior Sides in 2011-12

The club will field 4 seniors sides this season with the reintroduction of a hard wicket one day team. The team will be managed by Tony Cutri and has been established to let some guys who just want to play an occasional/casual game have a bit of fun.

 

What Does Cricket Mean to You?

This is what it means to one of our new Under 10s and his family.

 

Welcome to Cricket 2011

Very emotional and proud when (my) six year old son exclaimed that he would be dead by then to wait (so long) till the new season!!!!

So finally its going to start tomorrow although still waiting for clearance from (the) rain gods!!!

Its quite hard to wait for 6 months, especially when uprooted in a new country, and its the only game you live your childhood and youth through it.

Had (an) amazing last season in Milo. It was pure bliss to watch the little kids having fun with bat and ball so heartedly under the superb coachman ship

.... Wish you all a very happy and enjoyable cricket season and good luck for the much needed sunny days!!!!!

 

What more can we say but bring it on.

Under 10's Coaches Announced

The club is proud to announce the appointment of joint coaches for the under 10s. Raj Palkar and Amal Illesinghe will share the duties during the season with Raj taking training on Wednesday nights and Amal coordinating the match day on Fridays. Both Raj and Amal have joined our senior squad this season and are keen to contribute to their new club. The club will pay for their Level 1 Coaching Accreditation. I am sure all the under 10 parents and players will welcome the guys to the club and we are all set for an enjoyable season for the under 10s. If anyone else would like to give the guys a hand, please speak to any of the Junior Committee Members - Carol Van Der Burgt, Jacqui White, Val Niloloski, Jenni Brincat, Chris Dougherty, Suresh Allada or Lisa Dougherty. Welcome Raj and Amal and a big thank you from the Under 10 kids.

Draft VTCA Divisional Structure Announced

With the addition of 11 new teams from the MMVCA, the VTCA today released its draft divisional structure for the upcoming season.