Gray hits century on home ground

CRICKET: Murrumbateman’s James Gray notched up his first century this season in the Yass District Cricket Competition at the weekend.

Murrumbateman won the toss and elected to bat and were in trouble early.

Jeff Brown and Marty Smith were both bowling at speed. Brown got the early break through bowling both openers Dean Thornthwaite (1) and Wayne McIllhatton (12) to have two wickets for 23 in the seventh over.

However from this point things went downhill for the men from the west.

Gray and Jim Bray applied plenty of pressure to Harden.

Gray was in superb touch hitting the ball to all parts of the ground, he took a distinct liking to the bowlers and at the half way mark of the game, Murrumbateman was two wickets for 119.

When play resumed Gray and Bray opened up, and the 127 run partnership was finally broken when Bray was caught behind off Jeff Brown for 46.

All this did was bring Andy Clarke to the wicket and together with Gray, put on another 86 runs in the next eight overs.

Both Clarke (32) and Gray (114) fell in consecutive balls to Tyler Allen.

Harden players clapped Gray off the field after an excellent innings.

Murrumbateman’s James Gray notched a century at the weekend.

The Jiparu Drive native has had a good year with the bat and said, “I’ve been pretty lucky with the bat this year in a couple of my innings.

“I’m happy that I have got on to a few this year. Things are going pretty well.”

He also likes to roll the arm over and help the undefeated Murrumbatemen team out.

The environmental worker obviously likes the outdoors and found himself at home on the oval.

“I’ve played cricket for 20 years and I enjoy it,” he said.

“We haven’t lost a game this year, we have been pretty solid.

“There are good bowlers and good batsmen and everyone has a crack in the field. We have a good team spirit at the moment and we are hopeful we can go all the way this year.”

The biggest rival for Murrumbateman is Gundaroo, who James says is another team outside of the main Yass teams.

“The boys enjoy playing against them. We have a bit of a laugh taking them on. Murrumbateman is a small community and it’s great just hanging around with the boys.”

The final score ended in Murrumbateman’s favour at 7 for 297 with Harden managing 157.

Murrumbateman now heads to the balmy slopes of the Dalton Cricket Club on January 30 to face the Dingoes.