BDCA 2022: Debutant UK import Oliver Currill delivers victory for Green Caps against Colts

New UK import Oliver Currill wasted little time in repaying the faith shown to him by Leschenault, with his dominance inspiring the Green Caps during Saturday’s BDCA first-grade opener against reigning premiers Colts.

After taking catches to remove Murray Goodwin and Jordan Stynes — the two batters who appeared destined to cause the Green Caps grief — Currill returned to smash an unbeaten 66 off 93 balls as Leschenault got home by four wickets with plenty of room to spare.

Players were greeted with pleasant conditions at the start of play, in stark contrast to the wet night before, with Green Caps skipper Tom Buchanan winning the toss and sending the visitors into bat.

The vice-like pressure applied by opening bowlers Jacob Templeton and Brody D’Agostino in the opening 10 overs was extraordinary, with the visitors restricted to nine runs.

Young Colts trio Brian Hughes, Nicholas Wilson and Christian Pitcher found it extremely difficult to score as Templeton, who bowled four maidens in his first five overs, turned the screws whenever possible.

Aware things needed to change in order to post a competitive total, former Zimbabwe Test batter Goodwin was able to come in and provide the spark which has served his club well for more than a decade.

Goodwin and new recruit Stynes were able to somewhat break the shackles and play some positive shots.

However, once Goodwin departed for 57 the home side managed to regain a degree of control in the contest, although impressive late cameos from Sam Allen (21 off 25 balls) and Cruize Ciallella (11 off 17 balls) ensured the Colts batted out their full 45 overs.

Chasing 148 for victory, the Green Caps faced early adversity, with skipper Josh Topliss (2-14 off his first overs) and Stynes (0-7 off his first three overs) both generating plenty of movement.

Keen to force the issue further, Topliss turned to Ciallella in the 12th over and the all-round maestro struck with his first delivery.

Regarded as one of the best spinners in the BDCA, Ciallella trapped Tyne Dodds in front for 21, which brought Currill to the wicket.

Not content to throw his wicket away, especially given the position his side was in at 3-43, Currill took 13 deliveries to register his first runs, surviving a few appeals in the process.

However, this was the closest Colts would come to dislodging Currill, who grew in confidence the longer the innings wore on, much to the delight of the Green Caps faithful.

Leschenault have an opportunity to make it two home wins in seven days when they host Hay Park on Saturday.