Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing made a statement in its first match of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west season.
One of the big players in the off season, the Cats started the season with a big win against Bayswater.
Finally on the field after the first five days were washed out, the Cats made the most of their opportunity to get out and bat.
Sent in, they made 7-254 off their 45 overs.
New captain-coach Simon Lambert and Shijit Chandran made an instant impact in their first matches for the club.
Lambert made 52, while Chandran was the star of the show with an unbeaten 131 off 125 balls.
“The top of the order was very productive,” Lambert said. “We took the opportunity to put the pressure back on them.
“Myself and Shijit had us at 0-100 after 15 overs and we were able to set a platform. I wasn’t able to go on with it, but Shijit got 130 not out and everyone else chipped in to set a big total.”
Lambert said Chandran looked like a really good cricketer who had the power game to match the technical side.
He said he was looking forward to getting a first hand look at the other end as the two look to put together a successful partnership at the top of the order.
While Lambert was happy with the batting, he said there was work to be done on the bowling side of things.
Bayswater finished with 9-180 off its overs, with Lambert the pick of the bowlers with 3-28 off his overs.
“We were well below our best,” he said. “Our length wasn’t the standard we expected.
“When we’re bowling our best we should be keeping sides to under 150. We bowled a bit short and they were too easy to pick off.
“With 260 on the board it doesn’t hurt you. We need to be harder to score against.
“We won by 80 runs, so we’re not too disappointed.”
Lambert said while they were disappointed with the bowling, he knows that they’ve had limited preparation on a turf wicket.
He said it was the first time they’d had a proper game in the middle.
“Every bowler got four or five overs,” Lambert said. “I tried to rotate everyone so they had time at the crease going into next week.”
For the new look side the win was exactly what they were after. Lambert said while they had been happy with how the pre-season had looked, getting on the field and showing that was a different story.
“I rate our side pretty highly and have high ambitions for us,” he said.
“A big win first up gives heaps of confidence and shows the rest of the competent that we mean business.
“It’s only the first game, but it’s a good starting point.”
Werribee also started the season with a strong win, beating Melton.
The Tigers made 8-209 from their overs with Nathan Taylor top scoring with 54, while the Dean brothers, Matthew and Shaun, were among the runs at the top of the order.
The Lions finished well short, bowled out for 155.
Mitchell Cullen took three wickets.
