Redback venom is still as potent as ever.
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A pair of triple figure knocks to Kyabram’s openers, followed by an even spread of bowling destruction, has set up a merciless round one Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield victory for the Redbacks.
There was no room for error if the Lodgers were to withstand an expected onslaught by Kyabram, but a no ball from Xavier Waters with the first delivery was a bad omen to what would unfold across the next 45 overs.
It only took a few balls for both openers Billy McLay and Cade Mueller to get their eye in and take aim at the boundary rope, the first four coming from McLay scooping a full delivery down the leg side of Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
From then, it was a matter of where would the runs be scored, not when.
Cruising at a run rate above a run a ball, Pine Lodge’s attack looked no threat to the reigning white-ball premier, as Mueller and McLay whacked the Kookaburra with power and precision.
The partnership grew and grew - the red and black pair punched gloves in the tenth over for the 50-run mark, but after a 23-run 11th over, the pair would celebrate another team milestone in the 16th over for the club’s century.
Now, it was time to chase that feat individually.
Cade Mueller would bring his ton up first in the 31st over, cutting Lodgers’ spinner Ryan Kearney for four - but it was business as usual for the five-time century scorer, his milestone celebration no more than a quick head-down raise of the bat.
McLay’s century came in similar fashion, a lofted square cut that ran away for four in the 33rd over.
However, the ecstasy and relief of crossing the 100-run mark saw McLay lower his guard at the next delivery, flashing at a wide bowl from Bharat Sharma, the rock taking an edge of McLay’s bat and caught safely behind the stumps.
It broke a remarkable 225-run partnership, but the damage was far from done for Kyabram.
Paul Parsons and Mueller put the foot down across the final 12 overs to produce a team total of 1-336, with Mueller producing his career-best total of 172 not out, while Parsons made a notable 43 off 35 deliveries, unbeaten at the crease also.
“I thought our batting was pretty clinical, to only lose one wicket was excellent,” Kyabram coach Jackson McLay said.
“The way they went about it was the most impressive part, working together to make those big scores and running hard between the wickets really showed their fitness.
“It was special - Billy’s first A-grade hundred, and for Cade to go on and make a big total like he did.”
Kyabram had set a mammoth task for Pine Lodge, but after witnessing the batters have their fun, Kyabram’s bowlers were chomping at the bit to have a bite of Pine Lodge pie.
Depicting the depth of Redbacks bowling talent, in Kyabram’s demolition of the Lodgers’ line-up, four bowlers each took two wickets to dismantle the men in green.
Charlie McLay made the first break-through with the first ball of the third over, full delivery catching the bottom edge of Pine Lodge’s Liam Trevaskis’ bat, bobbing aerially towards diving hands of Alec Young.
The Lodgers’ other opener Hayden Cann was promptly bowled the next over by Anthony Evans - but Pine Lodge’s top order would dig in.
Kearney and Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige (25 runs) produced a determined 41-run knock over the span of seven overs, the latter scoring at over a run a ball, but Charlie McLay would knock off his bails to undo the scoring the pair had weaved.
Kearney soldiered on and top-scored with 27, but as he departed with Pine Lodge 5-77, it was a brisk job for Kyabram to fell the Pine tail.
The remaining five batters failed to score an individual total higher than six as Evans, Alec Young, Riley Nicholson and a pair of run outs finished the job, Pine Lodge all out for 96 after 27.3 overs.
McLay stated despite the Lodgers falling cheaply, there was still room to grow for the Redbacks - an ominous proposition from a club leader determined for the Redbacks to be the Haisman’s best.
“I’m a bit critical, and I think we bowled far too many extras,” he said.
“But it is round one and hopefully we’ve blown the cobwebs out.
“It was an exciting day for the club though, we had a pair of 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old playing for us and Anthony Evans and Riley Nicholson took a couple wickets each.”
In the landslide 246-run victory, Kyabram has raced ahead in first place with a quotient of 35, securing a bonus point also.
The Redbacks will face Shepparton Youth Club United in round two at Princess Park, while the Lodgers will look to make amends against Waaia at Waaia Recreation Reserve.
THE GAME
Kyabram 1-336 (Cade Mueller 172 not out, Billy McLay 100, Bharat Sharma 1-57) def. Pine Lodge 96 (Ryan Kearney 27, Alec Young 2-2, Riley Nicholson 2-19)
STAR PLAYER:
Cade Mueller (Kyabram): A career-best 172 not out, scoring at a strike rate above 100. Not a bad way to begin your Haisman Shield campaign, Cade.