From the ward to the cricket pitch

Our caregivers are known for their ability to keep their cool under pressure, but an inter-hospital cricket match turned up the heat between Murdoch and Subiaco hospitals when they competed in a friendly cricket match on the weekend.

11 Mar 2019

11 March 2019

The match in North Fremantle might have been won by the Murdoch Mavericks, but it highlights the co-working nature of the sister hospitals and aims to continue medical and collegial collaboration between the two largest St John of God Health facilities in WA.

The Subiaco Stars won the toss at Gil Fraser Oval and elected to bat first. The Murdoch Mavericks’ opening bowlers Roshan Weddikkara and Olly Brennan got some early wickets and chipped away at the batters, with some steady hands in the field holding all their catches.

Stars batter Chris Stagg held firm at the crease for a while, but the side struggled to get the ball off the square. A special mention goes to Brendan Hester, a Murdoch ED caregiver playing for Subiaco, for his fine efforts in his first ever cricket match.

The opening side ended up with 74 runs off 20 overs, before everyone enjoyed an Indian buffet during the tea break.

The Mavericks made early inroads into chasing the target, with Michael Innes and Stephen Harris in good form.

Olly and David Symes swung some lusty blows before Sanjay Mukhedkar and Abu Abraham brought home an easy victory with the target of 75 smashed after 11 overs and the Mavericks batting on reaching a total of 140 off 20 overs.

The Mavericks player of the match was Olly Brennan and the Stars’ was Chris Stagg. Murdoch CEO Ben Edwards was on hand to congratulate hand out the trophies and enjoy a post-match beverage with the sides.

Organiser and Murdoch Cancer Centre Oncologist Dr Sanjay Mukhedkar said the ‘friendly’ match certainly held some bragging rights for the winning team.

Following the successful event, his vision is see the two hospitals compete in other sports and his ultimate dream would be to hold T20 games between multiple WA hospitals.

“The two teams coming together improves collaboration and friendships between the two hospitals,” Dr Mukhedkar said.

“Cricket is a great leveller, bringing our teams onto the one field, under the same rules, to reach a common goal of fun and sportsmanship.”