Batchelor ton upsets leaders

A brilliant century from Broomehill opener Jack Batchelor handed the previously undefeated Tambellup their first loss in round nine of the 2019-20 Great Southern Cricket Association season last Saturday. Tambellup were undefeated heading into the mid-season break while Broomehill were in fifth spot having only won three games. Batchelor got his side off to a flyer, scoring his maiden century inside the first 30 overs to set up a big total. He smashed 17 fours and hit two sixes and finished on 112 to leave Broomehill in a great position at 3-161. A 52-run partnership between Sam Richardson (33) and Ethan Caldwell (36) pushed their side past 200. Broomehill were 5-221 when Richardson and Ethan Caldwell departed but late hitting from Ash Sexton (17) and Brandon Wise (22) helped their side reach 5-256. Tyler Caldwell claimed the big wicket of opener Jedd Herbert for 11 before Richardson dismissed Shane and Nathan Willmott in consecutive deliveries. Richardson was unable to claim a hat-trick but Tambellup were in plenty of early bother at 3-28. Opener Jack Taylor and Michael Long shared in a 54-run partnership to steady the chase before Taylor was removed for an impressive 79, that included nine fours. Some late hitting from Jack Wilson (36) was not enough to get Tambellup across the line, as his side finished their innings on 9-213 to lose their first game of the season. Richardson and Tyler Caldwell both finished with two wickets for Broomehill in their best result of the season.