Longparish cricketers Will de Cani and Alex Coetzee have helped their adopted Australian side reach the Grand Final of one of Melbourne's club finals.
The pair have spent the past winter months playing for South Yarra, who have reached the A-Grade finals of the Mercantile CA sub-district competition for the first time in several years.
De Cani, second highest run scorer in Hampshire League County Division 1 cricket last summer, has made 376 runs for South Yarra, with top scores of 60 and 77.
All-rounder Coetzee has 27 wickets to his name and also made a handy 55 not out in a recent knock.
But the Longparish pair look to have their work cut out if they are to end their Australian season with a Grand Final winners medal.
In the two innings three-day final against Parkdale District, played over two weekends, South Yarra were dismissed for 215, De Cani making 38 and Coetzee rescuing the innings with an unbeaten 41 after his side had slumped to 155-7.
Parkdale were in difficulty themselves at 155-5, but despite a 3-58 return with the ball by de Cani, recovered to post 332-7 by stumps, a significant lead of 117 going into Saturday's third and final day.
The pair have spent the past winter months playing for South Yarra, who have reached the A-Grade finals of the Mercantile CA sub-district competition for the first time in several years.
De Cani, second highest run scorer in Hampshire League County Division 1 cricket last summer, has made 376 runs for South Yarra, with top scores of 60 and 77.
All-rounder Coetzee has 27 wickets to his name and also made a handy 55 not out in a recent knock.
But the Longparish pair look to have their work cut out if they are to end their Australian season with a Grand Final winners medal.
In the two innings three-day final against Parkdale District, played over two weekends, South Yarra were dismissed for 215, De Cani making 38 and Coetzee rescuing the innings with an unbeaten 41 after his side had slumped to 155-7.
Parkdale were in difficulty themselves at 155-5, but despite a 3-58 return with the ball by de Cani, recovered to post 332-7 by stumps, a significant lead of 117 going into Saturday's third and final day.
