LUKE Smith claimed four wickets in five balls to narrowly miss out on a double hat-trick as Nhill’s continued its unbeaten start to the West Wimmera Cricket Association season.
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Smith claimed the final three wickets of Kiata’s first innings to end any hope the side had of upsetting Nhill after a positive start at the end of the first day’s play.
He then picked up the scalp of Josh Cramer with his second ball in the side’s second innings to narrowly miss out on a rare double hat-trick.
Before Smith’s heroics Kiata started the day optimistic it could manage a win. The side required 74 to win with eight wickets in hand but was quickly in early trouble after Cramer was dismissed for 30 after being 25 overnight. Outside of Kiata’s top three no batsmen managed to reach double figures as the side was bowled out for 91 within 33 overs. Smith claimed 5-6 off just 4.1 overs.
Nhill had better luck in its second innings as Mitch Dahlenburg hit a quick 40 with good support coming from Ben Pollock, 26. Cramer claimed 3-23 off four overs before Nhill declared at 7-122 after just 28 overs.
Kiata had 22 overs to chase down an unlikely 163 to win outright. Simon Mock and Cramer showed the side’s intention early as the opening pair set about scoring quick runs. Cramer was dismissed for 36 with the score on 46 but that only brought an even more aggressive Liam Albrecht to the crease. Albrecht hit 59 while Mock contributed 37 before their wickets saw the side finish 8-150.
