Bevan makes low-key comeback in Sydney

It seems Michael Clarke isn't the only former Australian great making a return in Sydney grade cricket.

While Clarke is scheduled to turn out next weekend for Western Suburbs in his first match since last winter's Ashes, another former Australian star named Michael was back at the crease today.

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Michael Bevan, a veteran of 18 Tests but perhaps better known for his masterful management of a run chase in one-day internationals, turned out for Eastern Suburbs  fourth-grade side in their match against Randwick-Petersham in Sydney today.

Bevan, now 45, won two World Cups and played in 232 ODIs for Australia, averaging 53.58 in the middle order. He is the club coach for Easts, and last weekend made his return to action in the fourths as he stood in the field for the day, largely at first slip as Randwick-Petersham posted 124.

However, the original finisher was called on for another match-saving innings today at Trumper Park as Easts' top order collapsed.

They lost three wickets on 20, and were 4-35 when Bevan strode to the crease for his first competitive hit in nearly a decade.

Bevan played his last first-class fixture with Tasmania in December 2006, and needed all of his experience with Easts still trailing by 89 runs as he entered.

Seeing off the danger and steadying the ship for Easts, Bevan added 19 for the fifth wicket with Matt Sarkies, and another 18 for the sixth with Michael Quinn.

Bevan had caressed three boundaries in scoring 21 runs from 71 balls before he was caught behind by Randwick-Petersham wicketkeeper Kaoser Ahmed off the bowling of Rehaan Nawaz.  

Easts still needed another 53 runs to reach their target when Bevan departed. Quinn perhaps channelled the Australian idol in his midst to finish unbeaten on 27 from 115 balls to see Easts home to a two-wicket win in the 64th over.