Harvey-Benger start Peel Premier League T20 Cup with 28-run loss to Waroona

Harvey-Benger started their Peel Premier League T20 Cup tournament with a 28-run loss to Waroona at Peelwood Reserve on Tuesday night. Bolstered by the inclusion of WA Premier Cricket pair Tyrone Virgo and Tanishk Chethan alongside Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association stars Rob Turner and Harley Italiano, Harvey-Benger conceded a score of 6-136 in the first innings but could manage only 8-108 in response. Waroona’s Daniel Baker top-scored in the first innings with 35 from 23 deliveries at the top of the order while Joryn Scarlett was the only bowler to take multiple wickets for Harvey-Benger, finishing with figures of 2-13 from two overs. Openers Haydn Jones (28 from 29 balls) and Virgo (15 from 26 balls) got the response away to a steady start but Harvey-Benger battled to accelerate proceedings in the back-end of the innings, with consistent wickets from Burhan Niaz (3-17 from four overs) and Chris Webber (3-20 from four overs) making the task tough. The loss leaves Harvey-Benger at the bottom of their three-team group, meaning they would need to record a massive victory over White Knights Baldivis in their second game of the tournament next year to have any hopes of progressing to the finals.