Import’s all-round quality shines in Magpies’ narrow win

A brilliant all-round performance from English import Jujhar Johal has lifted Denmark to second place on the Albany Cricket Association A-grade ladder, after his side’s tense 18-run win over Collingwood Park on Sunday.

In his fourth appearance for the Magpies since coming from Birmingham, Johal produced a match-winning display as he scored a superb century and bowled a tight nine-over spell that guided his side to their second win of the season.

After winning the toss and batting first at McLean Park, the Magpies lost Dan Robson (10) and Ryan Gaerth (6) cheaply before Johal, who opened the batting, combined with the hard-hitting Hayden Collard to give the home side a competitive total.

Johal reached his first half century of the summer while Collard belted a quick-fire 41 at the other end before being bowled by Mitch Jackson to end a 97-run partnership.

The busy right-hander brought up his maiden century for the Magpies with a boundary and then pressed on to reach 120, but eventually fell to Ryan Penn in the 41st over.

Johal hit 15 boundaries and one six in his impressive ton that was the mainstay of the Magpies’ total of 8-232 from their 45 overs.

Jackson returned the best figures for Park with 3-25 off nine overs. Following his century last week against Mt Barker, Park batsman Nathan Dovey again was the key to the visitors’ run chase and he shared in a 53-run stand with Ben Grey to get them off to a solid start.

Grey departed on 13 but Dovey and Jackson then put on 60 runs for the second wicket as Park surpassed 100 nearing drinks.

Jackson was the second wicket to fall on 25 and Matt Heberle chipped in with 23 as Park passed 150 and Dovey moved closer to his century.

Dovey belted a four to bring up his second consecutive century and was out soon after on 107, ending an innings that consisted of plenty of singles and big hitting of some loose deliveries.

Johal got the critical breakthrough to remove Dovey, having him caught by Gaerth in the last of his nine overs.

Dovey’s dismissal halted Park’s momentum and, despite the efforts of Nick Barrow (23 not out) and Ryan Penn (8 not out) their side fell short, finishing at 5-214. Johal’s nine overs that returned 1-16 proved valuable while Tom Foreman snared 1-32 from his nine.

It has been a terrific start for Johal in Magpies’ colours, averaging more than 40 with the bat and already taking five wickets.

Dovey has launched quickly in the new season, with 257 runs to his name in three matches but his side remains winless at the foot of the table.