THE Highlands’ Country Plate representative cricket team were knocked out of the competition on Sunday afternoon in a rain-affected away match against Shellharbour.
Shellharbour posted 267 off 42 overs after they lost eight overs due to a passing shower that kept players and umpires off the field for just over an hour.
The Highlands’ Mitchell Wright opened the bowling well taking 2-32 of his eight overs and was backed up well by Grant Pike [2-40] and Dean Roxburgh [1-48].
Pike bowled well in the latter overs of the game, keeping runs to a minimum.
But Shellharbour’s batsmen feasted on the other bowlers, launching a leg-side attack to the off-side field.
Stevie McNaught bowled the last over of the innings and chipped in nicely with a late wicket to finish with tidy figures of 1-88 in the total of 6-267.
Chasing at 6.35 runs an over, the Highlanders went out attacking and managed to get to 2-30 before a second storm set in.
In order to constitute a game, Shellharbour needed to bowl 20 overs, otherwise the rules state the away team progresses.
The torrential rain delayed play for two hours, left puddles in the outfield and placed the game under doubt.
After long deliberations between the officials and the Shellharbour captain, Highlands captain Scott Shepherd was informed they would be heading back out to chase a revised total of 159 off 25 overs.
The Highlanders were dealt a savage blow second ball back from the break when gun batsman Nathan Wright was adjudged leg-before. He left the field sporting a mark above his thigh pad.
Dean Roxburgh produced some resilience in the middle order, blasting a quick 21, including a massive six over mid-wicket that left a small contingency of faithful away supporters chanting loudly.
The last five overs were played in a light drizzle and the heavens opened about five minutes after the completion of the 20th and second last over.
Stevie McNaught hit a classy 21 on debut as the Highlands were rolled for 105 in 21 overs.
Had the heavy rain come earlier, the Highlands would have been dealt a get out of jail free cards. But the cricket gods ensured the deserved team went through to the next round.
Highlands captain Scott Shepherd was realistic about the day’s proceedings.
“In my opinion after the second stoppage play should’ve been abandoned but at the same time Shellharbour deserved to win,”?he said.
“They put on a dominant display compared to our very lacklustre effort.”