Fantastic Fell scores 94 not out

Ari Fell after scoring 94 not out last Sunday.

Credit: AJN

Showing composure, discipline and positive intent under pressure, Ari Fell scored a pivotal unbeaten 94 runs off 106 balls last Sunday for the fourth-placed Maccabi-AJAX Second XI (5/163) in their semifinal win over men’s B south-east grade ladder leaders Monash Uni (10/161).

Maccabi’s bowlers set the platform at Lord Reserve by removing Monash Uni batsmen at frequent intervals, led by Gilad Meyerowitz (3/25), Noah Goldberg (2/15), and Eli Barr (2/20).

The successful chase included a mini-collapse, but Fell steered his team to victory, hitting 14 boundaries along the way.

“It started off really well, with a 67-run partnership between me and our captain Shmuli [Rosenbaum],” Fell said. “But when we lost three quick wickets, I knew I was going to need to bat to the end. I had to pick the balls to attack, which I was able to do, and Gilad [Meyerowitz] hung around and scored 23. Credit to our bowlers, who all bowled incredibly well, which puts us in a good position for the decider.”

Club head coach Greg Hurvitz said of Fell’s performance, “It was the most complete innings I’ve seen at Maccabi-AJAX in my time. He [Fell] did everything I’d asked of him – for himself and the team – and now they’re in the grand final this Sunday [versus Clayton District].”

In C south grade, Maccabi-AJAX (10/143) bowed out in the semis with a six-wicket loss to the Thornbury Turf Strokers (4/145). Batting first, only Maccabi’s openers, Hayden Goldberg (36 off 109) and Adam Carew (31 off 42), were able to put up some resistance against a disciplined and sharp Thornbury attack.

Maccabi bowlers Toby and David Gelbart, Aidan Sheffield, and Mitch Goldenberg took a wicket each, but Thornbury coasted to victory. It was still a solid season for the Jewish club’s development team, finishing fourth with nine wins, five draws, and six losses.