Cricket Corner: Otway brothers link for unlikely win, Kojonup DLS match and local favourite takes 650 wickets

The Advertiser takes a look at cricket stories from around the Great Southern and Upper Great Southern regions as the summer of cricket heats up in 2024-25. Otway brothers steer train back on Railways track in memorable win Budding cricket brothers Lochlan and Mitchel Otway shared a memorable day at the crease in their under-17s match for Railways against Manypeaks at Turf East earlier this month. The pair put on 68 runs for the final wicket to clinch a seemingly unlikely victory in round six of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association under-17s. Having retired earlier in the innings after scoring a half-century, 17-year-old Lochlan Otway returned to the middle to join his 13-year-old brother Mitchel Otway still needing 67 runs from 15 overs to chase Peaks’ first innings total of 7-198. Mitchel Otway provided one of the most determined knocks, seeing out 55 balls for his resilient five runs, while his older brother did the damage as he notched his first-ever century with a remarkable unbeaten 112 from 93 deliveries to secure the unforgettable win in the second last over of the match. Earlier, Mitchel Otway led his side with the ball taking 4-18 from five overs, one of them a catch from his older brother who finished with figures of 1-20 from five overs. No rain dance needed in DLS-affected match Players from Kojonup and Katanning Wanderers in the Great Southern Cricket Association experienced one of the stranger delays in their round eight clash at the weekend. Despite being sunny and hot, they were forced to activate the Duckworth-Lewis System, which is usually instilled during rain-affected matches. The game was delayed for more than an hour during the Cougars’ batting innings as the Royal Flying Doctor Service had to use the Kojonup Recreation Complex as a landing pad to transfer a patient, who was in a non-life-threatening condition, from Kojonup Hospital to Perth Children’s Hospital. The interruption meant the Cougars innings was cut by three overs and both sides played 42 overs aside rather than the standard 45. Despite finishing their restricted overs with a hefty total of 8-242, due to the Duckworth-Lewis System calculations, the Tigers were tasked with chasing 253 for victory. The Tigers were bowled out for 162 in the 35th over. Great Southern Cricket Association receives touch of Albany flavour A league-wide bye didn’t stop some of Albany and Districts Cricket Association star cricketers from kitting up and getting out onto the field on Saturday. A swag of players played in the latest round of the Great Southern Cricket Association with some playing key roles for their sides. Mt Barker’s Jack Pope starred in Kojonup’s commanding 80-run victory against Katanning Wanderers in Kojonup. The English all-rounder top scored a superb 71 runs from 84 balls behind six fours and a six to steer his side to a huge first innings total of 242. Kojonup-raised Matthew Cant (Royals) also returned to his junior club and led his side’s bowling attack, the pacer taking 3-6 from three overs including the wicket of Tigers dangerman Ely Anderson (45). Bulls opener Alex Fergie suited up for local club Kendenup in their tough outing against reigning premiers Broomehill. Fergie scored an important 54 from 61 balls at the top of the order and played alongside his son Robert Fergie who scored one not out. Manypeaks’ Cam Walsh also featured in Kendenup’s 87-run loss to the Bandicoots and scored one run and kept wicket. Whalers find home hunting ground in Country Cup decider Albany and Districts Cricket Association will lock horns with Peel in the Belt-Up Country Cup grand final at home on Sunday, December 15. The Whalers finished top of the ladder after the three pool matches where they won a one-dayer and two T20s to secure the home final. Cricket Corner can reveal that after the WACA Ground became unavailable, the Whalers were able to secure a preferred venue given they finished top of the ladder. Peel finished second with two wins and a loss, which came against the Whalers at the venue of the decider in a reduced-over one-day match in October. 650 and still going for Keithy Manypeaks stalwart Keith Kinnear moved past a remarkable milestone, taking his 650th wicket for the club. Kinnear took 3-29 from eight overs in his side’s 86-run lost to Collingwood Park on Saturday November 16 to crack the milestone. Entering his 30th season having played more than 400 games for Peaks, Kinnear is a part of the furniture at Proctor Oval. With his youngest son Brock now in the junior ranks, Keith Kinnear is showing no signs of slowing down in the hope to one day play alongside him.