General News
3 December, 2020
Clinton Baker stars in Mortlake win
A CLINICAL batting display lifted Mortlake to the top of the South West Cricket table last Saturday.
A CLINICAL batting display lifted Mortlake to the top of the South West Cricket table last Saturday.
The Cats posted a comfortable 160 run win against Terang, with a Clinton Baker century paving the way to victory.
Baker blasted 121 not out from 139 balls at number three as Mortlake posted 4/277 before dismissing the Goats for 117.
Cats skipper Todd Robertson said Baker controlled the innings with the help of Todd Lamont (35), before Jack Lehmann (67) helped lift the run rate towards the end.
Isaac Wareham (20) also chipped in at the top of the order.
“He (Baker) was out there in the first over of the day and just batted right through which was terrific,” Robertson said.
“He came in after we lost a few wickets early and he and Todd just got us through the middle which gave us a platform from where we could launce.
“When Todd went out, Jack went in which took the pressure off Yogi, he just kept going along as he was and didn’t need to launch early but with eight to 10 overs to go he started to go hard at everything.
“It was as close to the perfect innings as you’re going to see – it was steady throughout and then he launched at the end.”
While Robertson was thrilled with his side’s batting performance, he said the Cats took time to fire up with the ball.
“After making such a big score we were a bit slow to get going but once we brought Yogi and Todd on we started to get through the overs,” he said.
“We then started to snag a wicket or two and once Terang lost a couple of wickets we got right on top.
“We then brought on Tommy Millard and he managed to clean up a bit of the tail which was really good.”
Millard finished as the pick of the bowlers with 4/22 while Baker (2/14) and Robertson (2/27) each finished with two wickets apiece.
The victory has Mortlake on top of the ladder by percentage, with the Cats set to enjoy a week’s break with the bye.
Robertson said his side’s start to the year was “very pleasing” and would provide them with a platform to attack the second half of the season.
“We are starting to put together some complete performances but we still have a lot to work on and we’re still trying to finetune our line-ups, I’m not 100 per cent sure of it just yet,” he said.
“The club is in a strong position, our division two is equal top of the ladder and our under 16s and under 13s are on top as well and there’s a lot of guys pushing for spots which is a good problem to have.
“Hopefully it sets us up for the back end of the season.”