Mack’s century leads Albion to emphatic victory

Albion’s Andy Mack recorded the first century of the 2021-22 Gunnedah District Cricket Association (GDCA) season on Saturday, when he finished unbeaten on 108 runs in his team’s 158-run thrashing of Mornington at Wolseley Park.

The first versus second match-up saw Albion win the toss and elect to bat, sending captain Brad Cady and Damien Baldwin to the crease.

Cady was given his marching orders, falling for a golden duck on the very first ball of the match.

While Mornington tasted success early on, it went downhill from there. Mack came in at first drop and put together a 161 run partnership with Baldwin, leaving Mornington desperate for wickets. Baldwin was the next Albion batter to fall, scoring 58 runs before being bowled by Joshua Langdon after 105 minutes at the crease.

Ryan Cooper was next in, scoring one run as he was bowled by Angus Frend. It left Mack to be partnered by his brother James with the pair partnering for 61 runs and remaining not out at the end of Albion’s innings as the team finished 3/226.

Mack’s 108 runs was a sight to behold with 15 boundaries which included 14 fours and one six in 126 balls faced. He spoke to the Gunnedah Times about the innings.

“It was a nice touch when James came out to bat and he guided me there pretty well,” Mack said.

“The wicket was good to bat on, I had a bit of luck early on but I made a conscious effort to make the most out of it.

“It was good to have the chance to bat first which we haven’t done much at all this year.”

With Mornington struggling to find cracks in Albion’s batters, Mack explained why the side was able to find success.

“I felt Damo Baldwin and I rotated strike well and upset any rhythm Mornington’s bowlers had and it was basically a plan to put bad balls away and not try to manufacture any shots,” he said.

In reply to Albion’s target of 227 runs, Mornington sent in Andrew Johns and Justin Carter as its opening pair with Johns dismissed in quick fashion by Ash White for a duck. John’s son Henry quickly followed, coming in at first drop and scoring one run before being given out for LBW by White.

The wickets continued to fall as Carter was unable to stabalise the top order, departing for five.

Mornington captain Rhyce Kliendienst fell for a two-ball duck as Aidan King followed a ball later for a golden duck, leaving the side 5/13.

Aaron Condrick managed nine runs as Andrew Osmond picked up his wicket. Matt Agostino and Tim McDermott were the only batters to score double digits with 15 and 12 respectively with Mornington all out for 68 runs in 21.4 overs.

James Mack continued his dominance with the ball, adding to his 25 runs not out. He collected three wickets in six overs with only 18 runs against.

Mark Ewington was also a key figure in Albion’s bowling attack, finishing 3-21 in six overs. Ash White was the side’s most economic bowler with 2-9 in five overs.

Despite Mornington already clinching second place on the ladder, Saturday’s match has shown the considerable distance between Albion and the rest of the teams in the GDCA.