After a few anxious moments in their run chase, the Redbacks cruised to victory with over 20 overs to spare on their home ground.
After losing opener Billy McLay first ball in pursuit of 145 runs, a quick-fire 28 off 17 balls from opener Kyle Fitzgerald and veteran Paul Parsons with a 47 at first drop steadied the home team innings before skipper Kyle Mueller ensured the win.
After missing last season while playing football in Darwin, Fitzgerald opened his shoulders to smash six fours in a dashing knock to show he’ll add to Kyabram’s batting depth and run-rate power.
Parsons also was aggressive, with eight fours and a six in his match-high knock of 48.
Parsons and Fitzgerald combined for a 58-run second wicket stand before the run machine Kyle Mueller made a measured, unbeaten 44 with six fours to steer his team to victory after it had nosed-dived to 6-121.
Earlier, Numurkah had won the toss and elected to bat and reached 27 before it lost its first wicket.
But from then on, the Kyabram bowlers, led by pacemen Jackson McLay and Nic Chambers and spinner Louis Sabbagh-Holt, all with three wickets, and Charlie McLay with one, dictated terms and restricted the visitors to 145 off 42.3 overs.
Kyabram is home again this Saturday, hosting Central Park St Brendan’s, which had the bye in the opening round but is expected to be a force this season.
One of the shocks of the opening round in the Haisman Shield was the defeat of last year’s premier, Waaia, by Mooroopna in a low-scoring clash.
Lower grades
Kyabram’s B-grade side started the season with a solid win, accounting for Waaia at Waaia.
Batting first, Kyabram compiled 9-202 from its 45 overs, with opener and captain Jason Parsons with a match-high 49 with nine boundaries and Jack Young with 41 and Paul Wickham (22) providing the bulk of the score.
Ethan McDonald with 3-39 off six overs and Matt Stuart with 2-26 off nine overs were Kyabram’s most successful bowlers.
Kyabram’s E-grade side will meet Waaia this Saturday in the first round of games in this grade.
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