Kayden Scrimshaw takes charge as Cougars beat Demons

A Grade, Divison 2

WHILE Kayden Scrimshaw felt some nerves in his first senior game as Koonwarra Leongatha RSL’s solo captain, he guided his team to a comfortable victory over MDU despite a minor hiccup when he forgot the ball at the start of the Cougars’ bowling innings.

He was quick to retrieve it and managed his bowlers well, MDU eight down when its 40 overs concluded and still 118 runs behind.

Earlier, Scrimshaw compiled a patient 22 batting at number three, Tanuj Namalge the best of the Cougars with the willow, making a rapid 87 off just 76 balls, James Rushton and Azhar Mehmood each contributing 61, the latter off just 31 deliveries and including five sixes.

Replying to Koonwarra Leongatha RSL’s imposing 6/258, Paul Le Page was the only Demon to get going, making 71 at just under a run-a-ball, the next best scorer managing just 11 not out.

Mehmood capped his excellent day with 3/18 from five overs, also contributing a run out, while Namalge built on his batting exploits with 2/27 off five overs.

Earlier, Max Murray was the only multiple wicket taker for MDU, but his two dismissals came at substantial cost, conceding 35 runs off three overs.

Sam Bright was most economical for the Demons, taking 1/30 off eight overs.

Cougars’ skipper, Scrimshaw, shared the captaincy with Callum Buckland in the first couple of rounds, having previously only held the responsibility at junior level.

“I was very nervous; there’s a lot to think about,” he said of his feelings ahead of the game, adding that he has lots of support from others at the club with leadership experience, including previous skipper Rushton. 

While confident after his side’s strong score, Scrimshaw wasn’t taking anything for granted, given the nature of cricket.

Asked his approach to managing the Cougars’ bowling attack, Scrimshaw said he has particular bowlers he knows he can turn to.

“Then you just go from there, depending on the game situation,” he said.