This weekend’s cricket was played under the heaviest of hearts.
The tragic passing of Ben Austin, a young cricketer from Ferntree Gully Cricket Club following a training incident, has sent shockwaves through the entire cricket community.
Ben’s loss is felt deeply by everyone who loves this game.
Before Saturday’s matches, all teams across our competition wore black armbands and observed minutes of silence to honour Ben’s memory.
Our First XI and their opponents Seville stood together in tribute, united in grief and respect.
The image of both teams standing shoulder to shoulder, serves as a powerful reminder that cricket is more than just a game – it’s a community, a family.
To Ben’s family, friends, and everyone at Ferntree Gully Cricket Club – our thoughts and deepest condolences are with you.
Rest in peace, Ben.
Wandin First XI:
In sombre circumstances, Wandin First XI delivered a strong performance to defeat Seville by six wickets at home, moving to the top of the ladder in what was an emotionally charged afternoon.
After both teams paid their respects to Ben Austin with a moving minute’s silence, Seville won the toss and elected to bat first.
What followed was a dream start for Wandin as Dan Trembath struck with his very first delivery in the second over, removing the opener with the score on just one.
It was the perfect beginning to set the tone for another disciplined bowling performance.
Two more wickets fell by the time Seville reached 64, but a steadying innings threatened to take the game away from Wandin.
Enter Hamish Lamont, who made the vital breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Jarred Carroll for 60, leaving Seville at 4/138.
From there, Wandin’s bowling unit showed the discipline that has become their trademark this season.
Dan Trembath (1/23), Jamie Oakley (1/11), and Cal Gordon (1/40) all chipped in with crucial wickets, but it was Lamont and Taylan Hall who made fast work of the tail.
Lamont finished with excellent figures of 3/22, while Hall claimed 3/29 as Seville were restricted to 9/180.
Chasing 181, Wandin’s opening pair of Bryce Edwards and Jamie Atkinson provided a solid foundation with a 54-run partnership before Atkinson departed for 18.
Eden Van Beek joined Edwards at the crease, and this partnership proved match-defining.
The pair put on approximately 80 runs, completely shifting momentum in Wandin’s favour.
Van Beek’s crucial 42 had Wandin sitting pretty at 135 before his dismissal.
Edwards continued his outstanding form, anchoring the innings with a classy 69 before falling at 150.
By then, the job was virtually done. Peter Vaughan (20*) guided Wandin home with a couple of overs to spare, sealing a six-wicket victory.
The win sees Wandin First XI sit proudly on top of the ladder – a position earned through disciplined bowling, quality batting, and the resilience to perform under the most difficult circumstances.
Wandin Second XI:
Wandin Second XI secured a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Warranwood in their one-day clash away at Warranwood chasing 180 for victory.
Wandin’s batsmen showed composure and determination to reach the target with three overs to spare.
Warranwood won the toss and elected to bat first.
The home side got off to a solid start before Jarrod Dobson struck with the first breakthrough, having Steven Pitt caught and bowled with the score on 35.
Dobson was the pick of the bowlers, delivering a masterful spell to finish with 3/25, consistently troubling the Warranwood batsmen with accurate line and length.
Opening bowler Mark Kogelman set the tone early with a miserly seven-over spell conceding just 13 runs, building pressure that allowed the wicket-takers to strike at the other end.
Matthew O’Dwyer was the second victim, falling LBW to Dobson at 67, before Dobson claimed his third when Ben Padgham took a sharp catch to have Warranwood 3/88.
Warranwood’s middle order tried to accelerate, with Jon Charles becoming Padgham’s wicket, bowled with the score on 114.
David Thorne and Matt Polido then chipped in with crucial wickets, before Archie Brown cleaned up the tail with 1/15 from his economical spell.
Warranwood closed their innings on 7/179, setting Wandin a gettable but challenging target.
Wandin’s chase didn’t start smoothly, losing David Thorne (20) with the score on 41.
However, this brought together the match-winning partnership between fill-in captain Rick Painter and Matthew Owens.
The pair put on a commanding 107-run stand for the second wicket, transforming the game in Wandin’s favor.
Owens played the aggressor with a classy 46, while Painter anchored the innings brilliantly, accumulating steadily and punishing any loose deliveries.
When Owens fell at 148, caught by Sam Lynch off Trent Greenwood’s bowling, the game was virtually won.
The captain reached a well-deserved 62 before being run out at 175, but by then Wandin were within sight of victory.
Jarrod Dobson (22*) and Brett Warren (4*) guided the team home in the 33rd over to secure a convincing six-wicket win.
A complete team performance with disciplined bowling and composed batting sees Wandin Second XI continue their strong season form.
Two victories from two matches played – but this weekend was about so much more than cricket results.
The strength and unity shown by our entire competition in honouring Ben Austin’s memory demonstrates the true character of our cricket community.
Our First XI now lead the competition, while the Second XI continue their strong form with convincing performances in all facets of the game.
With our Third XI and women’s teams having the long weekend off, they’ll return refreshed and ready to continue their seasons.
To the Austin family and Ferntree Gully Cricket Club – you remain in our thoughts.
