Michael Bevan makes comeback in Sydney grade cricket

After former Australian captain Michael Clarke announced his return to first-class cricket, another former Australian legend Michael Bevan was back in the field as well.

Michael Bevan, who is remembered for his masterful management of run chases in ODI cricket by cricket fans, turned out for Eastern Suburbs, a fourth-grade side, in their match against Randwick-Petersham in Sydney earlier today.

The 45-year-old cricketer is a two-time World Cup winner and has played 232 ODIs for Australia at an average 53.58. Bevan is the coach of the Eastern Suburbs and made his return to action last weekend as he stood in the field for the day. He was largely at first slip as Randwick-Petersham posted 124.

Easts Dolphins tweeted his picture standing in the slips.

Original finisher plays crucial knock in win

This happened when the left-handed batsman was called on for another of his match-winning innings today after Eastern Suburb’s top order collapsed at Trumper Park.

The Eastern side lost three quick wickets and was in some serious trouble when Bevan went to the crease at 4-35. This is his first competitive match in nearly a decade.

Bevan played his last first-class match for Tasmania back in 2006 needed all his experience today to reestablish his side into the contest. Eastern Suburbs were trailing by 89 runs when the “original finisher” entered the pitch.

Bevan was quick to assess the situation as he instantly added 19 runs for the fifth wicket with Matt Sarkies and another 18 for the sixth wicket with Michael Quinn.

Bevan played a handy innings of 21 of 71 balls with the help of three gorgeous boundaries before he was caught behind by Kaoser Ahmed off the bowling of Rehaan Nawaz. His side still needed 53 runs to win when Bevan departed. Michael Quinn made his Australian idol proud today by stealing home a two-wicket victory with a calm innings of unbeaten 27.

Bevan, who is known for his match-finishing ability and was the pioneer of the finisher’s position in limited-overs cricket yet again graced the game of cricket with his typical cuts and strokes.

Great to see Michael Bevan taking the field for Easts at Trumper Oval in 4th Grade. #1stslip pic.twitter.com/Y681iYzDOK

— Easts Dolphins (@Easts_Dolphins) February 6, 2016