Hannans’ attack impressive as team secures third straight victory

UK recruits Harry Merritt-Blann and George Hannington-Hodge are pivotal cogs in Hannans’ bid for the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association’s 2024-25 A-grade flag after they combined for six wickets in Saturday’s big win against Lake View.

Hannans headed into the Christmas break a game clear in the standings after the English pair proved a formidable combination alongside Alex Jago (3-22) when the Viewers were routed for 78 in 17.2 overs.

After Lake View lost the toss and were sent in, openers Matt Carter and Luke Gilfillan put on 40 through eight overs.

Carter was typically aggressive in compiling 31 off 26 balls, underpinned by four boundaries and two sixes.

He went at a strike rate of 119.23, but the side’s bright start evaporated when the top-order capitulated — from 1-40 to 5-46.

Merritt-Blann grabbed the key scalps of Carter and Ash Malec in the ninth over and the 10th over was disastrous for Lake View when Jago dismissed Gilfillan, Shane Wood and Mark Williams.

Among the top-seven, David Forrest’s eight off 20 balls was the top support for Carter as four batters each made ducks.

Merritt-Blann was the pick of the attack with 4-22, with the total boosted by 21 sundries that included 18 wides.

In reply, Hannans’ opening combination of captain Matt Ralph and Aarib Khan put on 38 runs.

Ralph’s 12 came off 28 balls and Khan found the boundary six times in his 26 off 26 balls.

Graham Kennedy (not out 26 off 29 balls; three fours; one six) and Jago (not out seven off five balls) guided Hannans to 4-79 in 16.1 overs.

Corey Yeo led the Viewers’ attack with 2-20.

However, the side has lost their past three matches after earlier winning three in a row — broken-up by the abandoned round in week four.

Hannans carry a three-match winning sequence into the break and Merritt-Blann, who also effected a run out last weekend, leads all EGCA bowlers with 18 wickets at 12.22 from Kennedy.

Kennedy didn’t bowl at the weekend, but boasts 13 wickets at 9.00.

Hannington-Hodge ranks seventh with 11 wickets at 24.18 and Khan is the competition’s leading batter with 281 runs at 46.83.

Domestic fixtures resume on January 11.