By Brayden Lindsay Timaru Herald
Prabodha Arthavidu in action against Celtic at Rockdale Road last season. He picked up five wickets at the same ground on Saturday. PHOTO JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ
It was the Prabodha Arthavidu show as he picked up a five-wicket bag in week two of the South Canterbury club cricket competition.
The South Canterbury top order batsman, who bowls offspin, produced his best bowling figures for the Timaru club as they knocked over Celtic by six wickets at Rockdale Rd.
Celtic had the better of Timaru in all bar one of their matches last season which was tied, however the latter drew first blood in the 2016-2017 season.
His 5-12 off his nine overs allowed Timaru to bowl Celtic out for 141.
“I was really happy with the way I went. It wasn’t just me. I took the rewards for what was a great team effort with the ball.”
Arthavidu said it was pleasing to pick up his first five-wicket bag in Timaru, against Celtic.
“You always want to do it against the best and I’m stoked we were able to get over the line and beat them.”
He said they now had to stay focused and build on their start, something that was pleasing considering they were still a few weeks from being full strength.
Sri Lankan Arthavidu claimed five of Celtic’s key batsmen: James Laming, Sam Carlaw, Dan Laming, Glenn Matthews and Andy Scott.
Openers James Laming and Andrew Buckingham put on 49 before fellow Sri Lankan Supeshala Jayathilake struck.
The Laming brothers and Carlaw all went in the space of 14 runs, and when the fifth wicket fell at 101, Celtic’s wheels began to fall off.
James Laming topscored with 29, Buckingham made 26 and Matthews 23 in what was a superb fielding effort from Timaru.
Celtic struck early through Matthews before scores from Nanayakkara (23), Arthavidu (21), Jayathilake (41) and Sam Porter (23) helped get Timaru home with relative ease.
The victory has them at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Star pulled off a tense three-run win over Pleasant Point at Mountainview.
Batting first the home team could only muster 128-9 with Chris Hogan (31) and Daniel Campbell (23) the only Star batsmen to get going.
Garry Paine looked as though he could have taken the game away from Pleasant Point with some attacking off-side play but he was forced to retire hurt on 15 following a quick single.
Star then stuttered their way to the end with disciplined bowling from Point’s new English import Tom Costley (3-25) and Brad Tegelaars (2-13).
Point produced a strong fielding effort to keep Star well under par.
In reply, Point got off to a horror start after Star opening bowlers Craig Hinton and Brayden Lindsay reduced them to 12-4.
Costley restored hope with a fighting 43, while Tegelaars (17), Lankeshwar (11) and Lundie (11 not out) were the only other Point batsmen to reach double figures.
When Dan Mehrtens removed Costley caught behind, Star looked set for victory but Tegelaars and Lundie fought hard.
Tegelaars got the target required down to four with a crushing cover drive to the boundary before Hinton snuck one past his defences next ball.
Next weekend sees Star host Celtic and Temuka-Waimate welcome Pleasant Point.
Short scoreboards:
At Celtic; Celtic 141 all out (J Laming 29, A Buckingham 26, G Matthews 23; P Arthavidu 5-12, S Jayathilake 2-27, S Wilson 2-21) lost to Timaru 146-4 (S Jayathilake 41, S Nanayakkara 23, S Porter 23no, Arthavidu 21; J Blackstock 1-18) by six wickets. Full Scorecard
At Mountainview; Star 128-9 (C Hogan 31, D Campbell 23, G Paine 15; T Costley 3-25, B Tegelaars 2-13) beatPleasant Point 125 all out (T Costley 43, B Tegelaars 17, A Lankeshwar 11, C Lundie 11no; C Hinton 3-16, B Lindsay 2-19, D Warwood 2-24, C Ware 2-28) by three runs. Full Scorecard