The Parkes U/14 cricket team Parkes scored a convincing 91 run victory over a keen Wellington team at a superbly prepared Spicer Oval on Sunday. The Parkes team included a good number of U/12 players who took the opportunity to extend their skills by playing with talented U/14 players.

The scores were: Parkes 8/194 in 40 overs – Joseph Tanswell 75, Hunter Hawke 38, Jack Milne 23, Flynn Thompson 13 n.o, Maddy Spence 9, Isaiah Hill 2/29 off 8 overs, Nate Bradford 2/21 off 4 overs, Lachy George ½ off 6 overs.

Wellington 10/103 in 37.2 overs – Lachy George 23, Amali McNeil 18, Zeke Heterick 11, Callee Black 11, Joseph Tanswell 3/16 off 8 overs, Maddy Spence 2/9 off 4 overs, Ryan Dunford 2/5 off 4.2 overs, Hunter Hawke 1/11 off 8 overs.

Parkes batted first to see a very positive opening partnership between Joseph Tanswell and Jack Milne. They put on 51 runs in 11 overs before Jack was dismissed for 23 with 4 boundaries.

Hunter Hawke (38 runs off 44 balls with 4 very strong fours) then partnered with Joseph in a quick fire 63 run partnership for the second wicket. Joseph (75 runs from 89 balls with 7 well struck boundaries) should be very pleased with his highest score in his young career.

After a middle order collapse, late order players Flynn Thompson (13 n.o) and Harry Kennedy (6) added quick runs at the end of the innings.

In reply Wellington lost wickets at regular intervals. Maddy Spence and Geordie Duncan were impressive in the field, while Jackson Plummer also stood out. Joseph Tanswell completed an outstanding all-round match as he produced 8 accurate overs to capture 3 early order Wellington wickets. Maddy Spence (2/9) and Ryan Dunford (2/5) chimed in to take valuable wickets.

By Greg Morrissey

“I’ve played cricket in lots of places. In the backyard, the driveway, inside the house, but never on top of a radio telescope.” Brisbane Heat star, and one of the world’s biggest hitters, Chris Lynn joined other cricket heroes and local kids to recreate the famous scene from the movie, The Dish, at the Parkes Radio Telescope last Thursday.

Under dark, stormy clouds they tried to ‘blast’ a ball into space to launch Cricket Australia’s new kids program Woolworths Cricket Blast “I didn’t quite get the ball into orbit, but it was a great experience. It was amazing,” said right-handed top order batsman Chris.

He was joined by Big Bash League heroes Peter Handscomb, Alyssa Healy, Ash Gardner and Nic Carey, Parkes kids Nina Richardson-Barley and Nate Henry, and Nate Vincent from Condobolin.

About 60 children from Parkes, Orange, Dubbo, Condobolin, Forbes and Cowra signed up to be part of the exciting day and took part in many cricket activities on the grounds around the radio telescope.

In the famous scene in the movie two engineers turn the giant radio telescope, used for beaming live television pictures of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon to the world, into a makeshift cricket pitch.

Last Thursday the cricket heroes climbed the giant structure under guidance from CSIRO Operations Scientist John Sarkissian to re-enact the scene using soft balls not to damage the dish.

“The cricket scene in the film has become an iconic feature of the CSIRO Parkes Observatory, and to see it re-enacted by real cricketers was a blast,” said John. “It was fantastic to see how much the junior cricketers enjoyed themselves. I’m sure they will remember it for a very long time.”

Woolworths Cricket Blast is a program for girls and boys of all abilities between the ages of 5 to 10 to learn new skills and play Australia’s favourite sport.

By Maggi Barnard

The first Thursday in November was a special day for around 50 special class students from Parkes and Forbes public schools when they participated in Dream- Cricket at Parkes Pubic School. DreamCricket brings together children with a disability from years three to six. It was originally developed in the NSW Central Highlands as the result of a partnership between Rotary, the Bradman Foundation and the Movement Disorder Foundation.

The day was made super special when 18 Year 7 students from Parkes High joined in with their teacher Mark Ranger to help organise the games and cook lunch. About half the high school students completed Year 6 at Parkes Public School in 2015. The DreamCricket program allows the students to develop their hand-eye coordination, movement skills and balance in a team environment, while at the same time enjoying sport.

Students enjoyed the sporting challenges, which involved groups rotating around four specially adapted cricket-based activities. The participation and smiles on faces said it all. DreamCricket gives students that normally
would not participate in sport a chance to be involved. It gives participants a chance to enjoy physical activity while developing self-confidence, self-esteem, levels of behaviour and citizenship.

The DreamCricket program has grown to schools and children throughout Australia and internationally. The day was organised as a joint effort by the Rotary Clubs of Dubbo East, Forbes, Parkes and Orange Daybreak. It was coordinated by Don Stephens, Chair of Dream-Cricket Australia and member of the Rotary Club of Dubbo West.

By Ken Engsmyr