Cricket: Leschenault v Collie

Buchanan century not enough

Team man Tom Buchanan, the season’s second LGM Industries major league centurion, would swap his superb 105 against Collie on Saturday for four points towards his team’s premiership any day.

However with scant support from Buchanan’s 10 colleagues their 173-run tally was flattering in the extreme.

Seamer Jason Chappell did the early damage for the hosts, dismissing Jarrad Quinn, Michael Newman and Kurt D’Agostino in quick succession to leave Leschenault reeling at 3-24.

Enter the stylish Buchanan who fought long and hard, stroking eight boundaries and three sixes, to be seventh man out at the Collie stronghold of Roche Park.

According to skipper Seth White there were about half a dozen players missing from the Coalminers usual starting XI, including former State youth all-rounder Jeb Swallow, Mark Williams, Paul Bebbington and WA Country XI captain Rod Ford with a strained hamstring.

But Collie’s potent top order set the scene for a sensational double bonus point victory in just 28 overs.

Forced to call on semi-retired hockey champion David O’Brien, White and his mates could only marvel at the histrionics of their slam-bang opener.

O’Brien (62) was first out with the Collie tally on 104 and his personal contribution five sixes and two boundaries in 40 minutes of mayhem, rocking the shell-shocked Leschenault bowlers.

Skipper White was not far behind, stroking six boundaries in a personal contribution of 49 to the opening century stand.

Blair Malatesta and Liam Kinsella weighed in with strong starts to see the Coalminers home and hosed in just under 29 overs.

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