Tearaway James Beattie has done it again, delivering Greater Northern Raiders a morale-boosting second win of their debut season.
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The left-armer snared a brilliant 4-13 on Sunday to set up a comfortable 44-run Twenty20 triumph inside the opening seven overs of Glenorchy’s reply while chasing down seven an over.
The hosts first collapsed to 3-8 during Beattie’s spell and then 5-15 in pursuit of 141 to all but kill the game off.
Raiders captain Miles Barnard went against T20 convention and on the attack to bowl Beattie’s four overs out that went part of the way to restrict Glenorchy to 9-96.
It’s no coincidence the Raiders’ only victory in their opening seven games came at the hands of Beattie, who that day against New Town also took a four-wicket haul to now hold the rookie club’s best two sets of figures.
Beattie felt he was again landing his deliveries on the right spot, daring the Magpies top-order to hit him away at their own peril.
“I felt that especially in the powerplay early when you only have got two out [in the field],” Beattie said.
“It’s more about hitting that line and length and I think got it right today.
“Often you can get some good batsman go after you and you go for a few runs, so I’m happy how it turned out.”
Opening partner Jono Chapman held up the other end with 2-16, while left-arm finger spinner Anish Paraam conceded just 13 runs off his tidy four overs.
Singaporean Paaram had a standout game equal to Beattie’s, top-scoring for his side with 49 off 41 balls including one four but two sixes.
Barnard returned to his best form and a Raiders’ best 36 from 44 balls in a 95-run opening stand with Paraam.
Alistair Taylor ensured a tough run chase for the Magpies, belting 24 off 18 balls in the closing overs.
Beattie was full of praise for the Raiders batters.
“I think we were 104 off 14 [overs], which really set the platform for the launch, although we probably didn’t quite get the total that we wanted,” he said.
“But runs on the board is often a big factor in T20s.
“They certainly gave us something to defend.”
Beattie believed the squad went into the KGV Oval clash after its washed out match on Saturday against Kingborough feeling the most relaxed it had all season.
But confidence would have soared since Glenorchy had struggled to pick up another win after collecting points in a two-day struggle against the Raiders.
“It was a pretty good victory, especially when they have been hard to come by this season,” Beattie said.
“I think we just got it right today and it shows that we can match it with the competition down here.”
It was a pretty good victory, especially when they have been hard to come by this season
- Paceman James Beattie