Sydney University First XI were a wicket away from securing back-to-back wins in the 2023-24 NSW Premier Cricket competition but had to settle for a Round 4 draw in their two-day game against Fairfield-Liverpool at Rosedale Oval.
The hosts were 9-310 in reply to Sydney University’s 9(dec)-341 when stumps were drawn on Saturday.
Having lost the toss and sent into bat, Sydney University had a disastrous start with openers Jack Attenborough (2) and Jordan Gauci (0) back in the pavilion with just 10 runs on the board.
But No.4 Ryan McElduff (68) and No.3 Damien Mortimer (49) steadied the ship and took the score to 3-91 before Tim Cummins stepped up the plate and posted 106 off 169 balls, with 11 boundaries and one over the fence.
Hunar Verma, batting at No.8, posted a fine 53 before the Students declared after 96 overs. Joshua Baraba (3-74) and Cameron Frendo (3-106 off 37 overs) were to pick of the Fairfield-Liverpool bowlers.
The hosts began their run chase well with openers Nick Carruthers (62) and Jayden Simmons (37) putting on a 109-run partnership. They also had fine contributions from No.5 Mansukh Singh (60), Yuvraj Sharma (28) and skipper Luke (27) to hold out for a draw. William Salzmann finished with 3-87 off his 21 overs for the University.
All teams had a bye in Round 1 of the Premier Cricket competition and Sydney University lost their Round 2 limited overs match by nine wickets to Northern District at University Oval.
Having won the toss and batted, Sydney University posts 9-182 off their 50 overs, with openers Nick Larkin (52) and Jack Attenborough (22) giving the Students a useful start with a 57-run partnership. Tim Cummins scored 22 but wickets fell at regular intervals thanks to Jonty Webb, who collected 4-27 off his 10 overs, and medium pacer Scott Rodgie, who claimed 3-35 off eight overs.
The visitors then posted 184 for the loss of one wicket off 37.3 overs, with Lachlan Shaw finishing with an unbeaten 79 (eight boundaries and a six) and Cameron Tunks an unbeaten 71 (eight boundaries).
Sydney University’s first win came in their Round 3 limited overs match against Blacktown Mounties at Sydney University Oval. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Sydney University opener Jordan Gauci led the way with an unbeaten 139 off 137 balls, including 12 boundaries and one over the pickets as the hosts rattled up 5-282 off their 50 overs. Ryan McElduff (47), Oliver Zannino (35 not out) and Tim Cummins (22) were the other main contributors.
They then rolled Blacktown Mounties for 228 in 49.2 overs, with leg-spinner Devlin Malone taking the bowling honours with 4-45 from his 10 overs. Gaurav Dogra led the way with the bat for the Mounties with a solid 73 off 70 balls, including four boundaries and two over the ropes, while Manish Malhotra (56) and Eknoor Singh (41) were the other main contributors.
Sydney University will meet Western Suburbs in a two-day Round 5 fixture starting at University Oval this Saturday.
