No Casey, Jack or Jackson Young, no worries.
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That was the story for South Launceston over the weekend as Graham Donaldson stepped up to lead the bowling attack and help secure the Knights’ first win of 2018-19.
The 31-year-old’s magnificent figures of 7-29 started with the dismissal of form Mowbray opener Luke Scott on the third ball of the innings and included a run of three wickets in five balls as Rohan Pooley, Spencer Hayes and Blake Cassidy went bowled, lbw and bowled.
“It all happened pretty quickly - it was just one of those days I think where everything goes your way,” Donaldson said.
“You bowl a lot better some days and get no reward for your bowling but everything went well on the weekend.
“The wicket helped me out a little bit, but it was just getting it in the right spots and getting the reward for it.”
A Knight of two decades, Donaldson had been kept to just two first grade games in two years before this season thanks to shoulder surgery and the form of the three Youngs and James Beattie.
But the departure of Casey and Jack Young and the introduction of the Greater Northern Raiders has allowed the paint salesman to force his way back into the side.
Saturday’s haul should keep the new ball in his possession for the near future.
“It’s good to get back in the ones - we’ve had a pretty strong bowling core through the grades,” Donaldson said.
“With a couple of players leaving this year it’s given me the opportunity to get back in the ones so it was good to get back in there and have a good day.
“Hopefully I can keep bowling well, cement my spot in the side and get on the park and push for another grand final, but there’s a long way to go yet.”
DONALDSON’S TOP FIRST GRADE HAULS
- 7-29 v Mowbray 2018-19
- 5-50 v Westbury 2010-11
- 4-18 v George Town 2010-11
- 4-35 v Mowbray 2010-11
- 4-63 v Westbury 2012-13