A 230-run opening stand between Don Butchart and Jordan Gauci put Sydney University in the box seat at stumps on day one of their NSW Premier Cricket match against Blacktown Mounties at Joe McAleer Oval on Saturday.
Gauci cracked 156, including 19 boundaries in his 292-ball stay, while Butchart’s 115 included 12 boundaries. Gauci also shared a 99-run first wicket stand with Damien Mortimer, who was run out for a run-a-ball 53.
Having won the toss, the Students ended the day at 3-363 off 96 overs, with Max Hope (19) and Ryan McElduff (6) at the wicket. Hope’s five-ball stay included a boundary and a pair of sixes. The big decision being pondered during the week will be whether to bat on or declare.
Sydney University currently head the Belvidere Cup ladder after 11 rounds, with Manly Warringah, St George, UNSW, Bankstown and Northern District making up the top six.
After day one of their match at University Oval, Sydney University Seconds are also in a strong position. After winning the toss and batting, Sydney University declared at 7-323 off 82 overs and had Blacktown Mounties 2-21 from a 12-over burst before stumps.
Charles Litchfield led the way in the big University tally. His 89 included four boundaries and four over the fence, while Andrew Hazard (65), Charlie Dummer (60), Hayden Storey (27) and Ravi Wikramanayake (24 not out) also kept the runs flowing.
With the team now sitting in 10th place, they’ll be looking for outright points to push them up the Albert Cup ladder, which is headed by Northern District
Meanwhile, in the NSW Premier Women’s Cricket Limited Overs fixture, Universities suffered a nine-wicket defeat against Campbelltown-Camden at David Phillips Memorial Fields on Sunday.
