Tara Murray
Shupinder Taggar produced what is being called the best innings in Craigieburn’s history to seal the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1 premiership.
Taggar, who was the key signing for the Eagles this season, showed why the club was keen to sign him, starring in both games in the grand final best of three grand final series against Sunshine.
The Eagles, who had claimed game one of the grand final series the previous weekend, were in trouble early in game two.
Craigieburn coach Chris Laffan said they had their backs to the wall in the semi final and the first game of the final series, so they were still confident they could recover and put a good score on the board.
“Sunny put together an unbelievable innings,” Laffan said. “It’s definitely the best anyone has seen at Craigieburn and it rivals any innings in local cricket.
“We were 4-8 and he came in on a soft wicket. He looked for singles and twos and attacked in his areas and credit to him to get the rewards.
“We were then in trouble at 9-90 and him and Zac Orr but on 56 for the final innings.”
The Eagles made 9-150 off their 40 overs.
Taggar finished 101 not out off 98 balls, which included seven sixes and six fours.
Orr finished nine not out.
Laffan said having defended 104 in game one, they thought they had enough runs on the board.
He was right as they bowled Sunshine out for 58 in the 19th over to seal the series in two games.
Orr took 5-27 off six overs, while Daniel English and Taggar took two wickets each.
Not surprisingly Taggar was named player of the grand final series.
The series was also special with Mick Bury playing his 200th game in game one.
Laffan said it was a credit to him.
“He’s a two-time premiership captain, that tells the story,” he said.
“To play 200 games at one club at senior cricket is rare.”
The premiership is the result of building up the program after they were promoted to division 1 in 2017-18.
Laffan said it has been a few years in the making.
“Credit to everyone,” he said. “It’s certainly being a patient build coming up to a new division.
“We had to fight to stay in every game and survive. Now we went into the games and expecting to win finals.
“A handful of us have now played in three senior level premierships in the last nine years. We’re now got great depth and we’ll hopefully continue to grow.”
Craigieburn is set to play in the senior division next season.
Laffan said they were looking forward to that challenge.
“We’ll get to work in the off season,” he said.
“There is still some growth in the group. The core of the group is hitting their mid 20s. “
