Worcestershire opener Richard Oliver was involved in a dramatic opening day's play for Geelong City as TWENTY SIX wickets fell in the the Geelong Cricket Association Division One clash with visiting Murgheboluc.
Geelong skipper Oliver put the visitors into bat and his decision was more than justified in the difficult batting conditions as Murgheboluc were dismissed for 57 in just 21.3 overs.
Opening bowler Kent Agg did most of the damage as he finished with figures of 5-21 but he was well backed up by the rest of the attack.
But Geelong found life no easier when they batted and were dismissed for 67 – a lead of just 10 – in 29.4 overs.
Oliver, who had taken one catch, made a single and only Thomas Elliot with 40 reached double figures.
The wickets continued to tumble when Murgheboluc began their second innings.
Agg followed up his first innings haul with 4-19 and Murgheboluc closed on 84-6 – an overall lead of 74. The match will be concluded next weekend.
Oliver said: "The weather wasn't what was forecast and it was difficult batting conditions and one of the best bowling attacks in the league doesn't need to be asked twice when given half a sniff.
"In saying that, it was poor batting from both sides too so the combination was there for a lot of wickets to fall."
County pacement Jack Shantry ended his spell with Greenvale Kangaroos who lost on first innings but just managed to avoid overall defeat in the Victorian Premier Cricket Bartercard Men's Premier Firsts clash with Melbourne University.
Melbourne resumed on 103-1 in reply to Greenvale's 170 all out and extended their first innings total to 295 all out in 82.3 overs.
Shantry did not take a wicket but bowled 14 overs for just 19 runs.
Greenvale began their second innings 125 in arrears and closed the day on 139-8 with Shantry, batting at number five, dismissed for five.
