Sport
17 February, 2026
Baird sends big bounces to the boundary
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Marnoo posted a strong 8/238 from their 40 overs, built around a decisive and authoritative innings from Baird.
MARNOO produced a commanding all-round performance to secure a convincing victory over Southern Mallee Giants in their Wilken Group A Grade Round 9 one-day clash at Marnoo Recreation Reserve, with Nic Baird’s first century for the club the defining feature of the match.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Marnoo posted a strong 8/238 from their 40 overs, built around a decisive and authoritative innings from Baird.
Batting through the majority of the innings, Baird set the tone with positive intent, striking the ball cleanly and consistently to keep the scoreboard moving.
Baird’s century was a commanding display, highlighted by 19 boundaries and two sixes, as he repeatedly found the gaps and punished anything loose.
With wickets falling at the other end, he assumed responsibility for the scoring, lifting the tempo through the middle and latter stages of the innings and ensuring Marnoo was able to post a challenging total.
While not his first century at senior level, the innings was a significant milestone, marking his maiden hundred in Marnoo colours and a standout contribution.
Marnoo also received valuable support throughout the order, allowing them to bat their full quota of overs and maintain pressure on the Southern Mallee Giants’ bowling attack.
In reply, the Giants struggled to establish meaningful partnerships despite a fluent innings from Srikanth Reddy Kasaram, who top-scored with 70 from 60 deliveries, including seven fours and five sixes.
His aggressive approach briefly threatened to shift momentum, but regular wickets prevented the chase from gaining traction.
Marnoo’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Jimmy Duxson (3/25), Jack McAllister (3/12) and David Lang (3/24) each claimed three wickets, while Benjamin Newton (1/13) and Dylan Shelley (0/7) provided tight support to restrict scoring.
Sharp fielding backed up the bowling effort, ensuring the Giants were dismissed for 137 in 29 overs.
The result sealed a comprehensive victory for Marnoo, with Baird’s boundary-laden century standing as the clear highlight in a dominant performance with both bat and ball. Marnoo remains undefeated.
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