The Horsham Cricket Association and Wimmera-Mallee Association had tough results on day one on Monday, both going down to teams from Warnambool.

Wimmera-Mallee were undone by Warrnambool Gold who made 256 runs from their 45 overs. In reply, Wimmera-Mallee could muster just 64 at Sunnyside oval. 

Aaron Schofield battled manfully for Wimmera-Mallee, taking four wickets and making 16 runs with the bat.

Wimmera-Mallee also lost on the second day after making only 55 runs batting first against Mount Gambier.

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Meanwhile the Horsham Cricket Association team simply didn’t make enough runs at City Oval on day one, with their first innings total of 114 run down by Warrnambool Blue in the second last over with three wickets to spare in a close contest.

It was a better result for Horsham on the second day of competition, chasing down Portland’s first innings total of 118 in the 38^th over with five wickets to spare at Dudley Park. The result has kept Horsham with a chance in the competition.

There are some fresh faces playing in their first edition of country week cricket this year, including Horsham Cricket Association’s bottom-age pace bowler Ammaar Khan.

Khan, who plays for Homers at club level, said he had been enjoying the experience.

“It’s been quite good so far,” Khan said. “It’s good cricket and it’s a good bunch of mates.”

Khan has been a key player in the side’s first two matches, taking three wickets in yesterday’s game against Portland including the last two of the match.

Khan said it was rewarding for his tactics to be working at the high-level of competition.

“It skidded quite a bit early, I wasn’t getting that much bounce,” Khan said. “I was looking for an edge to start the game but it didn’t quite pan out. 

“I bowled more on the stumps at the end and it was good to finish them off.”

Despite being eligible for under-14s at club level, Khan has been challenging himself by playing some games in the under-16.5 to ensure he keeps improving. He also hopes Country Week will help him get better.

Khan has clearly shown a lot of promise and cricketing talent, and he rightfully has his hopes set high for his future in the sport.

“I’ll try my best to do everything, hopefully keep playing good cricket,” he said. “Hopefully one day I’ll get to play in the Big Bash.”