AS YOUNGER brothers tend to do, they can cause headaches for their older siblings.
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In Mark Murphy’s case, he has created a dilemma for his older brother, Brierly-Christ Church captain Nathan, ahead of today’s Warrnambool and District Cricket Association division one match against West Warrnambool.
Mark top-scored opening the innings with 59 in Brierly’s upset win over West in a Twenty20 match on Tuesday night in an impressive audition for a permanent role facing the new ball.
While the 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has opened once in a two-day game this season, he has predominantly batted at number five or six.
But with today’s match at Brierly a one-day affair, his liking for the shorter versions of the game is prompting hope he gets an opportunity to move up the order.
“He’s asked me to open a couple of times but we’ve got a couple of good young openers, Tim Ryan and Aaron Rethus,” Mark said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised (if he asked again). I’m happy to bat anywhere he wants.”
He said opening with his brother on Tuesday had helped rediscover form after struggling for runs in the one and two-day games. In two Twenty20 matches he has scored more than in five division one games — something he attributed to the carefree approach the short version of the game allowed.
“Since we’ve played we haven’t batted much together. It was good to get to bat with him. We know each other’s games but it was good. He gave me some comfort at the crease.” He said while the brothers got on well, it wasn’t always the case: “There were a few big arguments in the backyard (cricket) whether it was out.”
While Mark is still a teenager, he said the Bulls’ crop of young players was exciting. In his third season of division one cricket, he feels a responsibility to help guide youngsters like left-arm spinner Lachlan Rooke, all-rounder Tim Ryan and batsman Ben Ryan consolidate positions in the team.
“Knowing where they have come from, I was there not long ago so I’ve been trying to give them a few tips.”
While the Bulls are winless so far in Saturday cricket, Murphy said Tuesday night’s win had given them confidence, especially backing up against the same opponent (fifth).
“We’ve got about nine players in the Twenty20 side who are playing division one. It gives us great confidence coming into this game.”
In the final round before Christmas, a couple of games could have significant impacts on the ladder. Fourth-placed Wesley-CBC could entrench itself in the four with a victory over second-placed Woodford at Walter Oval, while sixth-placed Dennington could shake up the top half with an upset over third-placed Merrivale at Merrivale.
Ladder-leader Nestles plays its first match of the season on its Reid Oval home ground when Port Fairy (ninth) returns to the scene of its 2010-11 division two grand final triumph
Reigning premier Allansford (eighth) and seventh-placed Russells Creek find themselves in a must-win showdown at Allansford heading into the break.
