IT was a tough week away for the South Australian Outbacks who finished the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Western Australia on the bottom of the overall ladder.
The Outbacks – who were led by North Sportsman’s Josh Fidler – finished the championship with four wins and six losses.
The South Australian side had a strong connection to the South East, with Fidler’s team mates Nick and Matthew McInerney also suiting up in the state colours.
Joining the Tigers trio was East Gambier’s Dion Stratford – who took the role as vice captain – and Alex Hentschke.
South Australia started reasonably well in the Twenty20 competition, winning three games, while dropping just two to finish fourth from six teams.
However, the longer format one-day clashes were not the Outbacks strength, eventually finding themselves at the bottom of the standings.
After their loss to East Asia Pacific, came another unfortunate game against Western Australia Country.
South Australia lost by an agonising one run.
Western Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, posting just 8/186 off the 50 overs due to the tight bowling of the Outbacks.
Fidler led by example with the ball, claiming 3/26 off nine overs in what was an impressive display.
Stratford also stepped up to the plate with three catches behind the stumps.
The Outbacks went into its batting innings with confidence it could surpass its opponent’s total.
Matt McInerney put on a solid display with the bat, reaching 49 runs from 69 balls, but the remainder of the order failed to contribute with a big score.
Next best at the crease was Peter Wilson with 27 runs from 52 balls.
It was for that reason the Outbacks were in trouble late in the game.
With just one wicket in hand and seven runs needed to take the victory, batsmen Hentschke and Fidler were certainly feeling the pressure.
They were able to reach 185 runs and went for a single to level the game, but Hentschke was run out in what was an unfortunate end result.
With next to no chance of making the grand final, South Australia entered its clash with a dominant Victorian Country side.
The Outbacks had little control in the field, with Victoria powering to 7/240 off 50 overs.
Nick McInerney had a solid stint with the ball, claiming 4/33 off nine overs to slow down the Victorians.
However, a dismal display with the bat from the Outbacks handed Victoria the game early.
South Australia was all out by the 31st over, with Brodie O’Dea (41 runs) and Ben Parish (18) the only two to reach double figures.
The Outbacks were an agonising 153 runs short, after posting just 87.
South Australia’s game against eventual championship winners New South Wales Country was no better.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Outbacks struggled with the bat due to tight bowling from the New South Wales attack.
Wilson (11) and Nick McInerney (36) were to only two players to reach double figures at the crease.
The Outbacks posted a disappointing 95 runs and lasted just 37 overs.
The dismal total was no match for New South Wales who surpassed 95 runs in the 20th over with six wickets still in hand.
David Golder was the Outbacks’ best with the ball, taking 2/33 in what was otherwise a disappointing team performance.
The string of losses cost South Australian Country a chance at playing off in finals, with it eventually finishing on the bottom of the overall championship ladder.
