ANU managed to lure Ben Mitchell back from Sydney this season. And they're glad they did.
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Especially since ANU captain Dan Leerdam rates him as the best spinner in the competition. Scratch that, one of the best bowlers in the comp fullstop.
Mitchell "bowled the house down" to lead ANU to a 39-run victory over Queanbeyan at ANU North on Saturday.
He took 5-73 to restrict the visitors to 211 in response to ANU's 250 last week.
Leerdams was full of praise for Mitchell's efforts with the ball, but also praised Queanbeyan's Dean Solway for his 123 and his brother Mark (24) who battled on with a side strain.
Mitchell played in Sydney last season - and still plays Twenty20 up the Hume Highway - but has brought his experience back to the Students.
"He's probably one of the best spinners in the comp, one of the best bowlers in the comp fullstop," Leerdam said.
"He put on a great display today. He just controlled the game so well, built so much pressure.
"Last year he was playing mainly in Sydney ... he's played a lot of rep cricket in the past, played for NSW Country a number of times, played for NSW Imparja side a number of times.
"He's probably been one of the best bowlers in Sydney as well in the white-ball format. He's definitely a handful to face and on his day he's as good as anyone going around."
Lachlan Pedley also produced a crucial runout of Tyler van Luin when Queanbeyan were in control at 3-132.
ANU were able to string together another three quick wickets after that and wrest back momentum.
Tuggeranong captain Shane Devoy took 6-21 to lead his side to a 187-run victory over North Canberra-Gungahlin, while Weston Creek Molonglo beat Ginninderra by 176 runs.
Western District enjoyed an outright victory over Eastlake.
- Scoreboards: Page 47