HOPPERS Crossing’s promising start to its second season back in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division is nothing but a memory.
The Cats have tumbled out of the top-four after consecutive losses in a disappointing start to December.
Pressure is mounting on their middle-order batsmen, who will be asked to perform or have their spots in the side reassessed.
Their woes were exposed for a second time in as many matches in a 53-run loss to Bentleigh away on Saturday. Chasing 244 for victory, the Cats were bowled for 190 in 63 overs.
Cats president Steve McNamara said it was an ideal day to be chasing a target.
“It was a good batting strip. No excuse not to get a score like that.
“The openers were looking comfortable and the nine, 10 and 11 batsmen were too. Our middle order didn’t produce, unfortunately.”
In the line of fire are under-performing Will Gardner and Asif Jan – two players you would put your house on to make big runs this summer.
Gardner turned the corner ever so slightly last match with 65 in the second dig of a big loss to Greenvale, but returned to his slump with just one on Saturday.
Jan’s form is the most baffling, he has been dismissed lbw in no fewer than five of his six digs.
With both players averaging a touch over 10, McNamara said they needed to start being a little more selfish with their preparation.
“They’re both class players and they need to be producing a bit more for us. In their defence, both of those guys spend a lot of time coaching and helping the other guys. Maybe they need to focus specifically on themselves and back off from the coaching a bit.”
One man who has no trouble juggling multiple responsibilities is player-coach Darrel Brown, who bagged six wickets and top-scored with 48.
Imports Dinesh Daminda (26) and Tom Brett (39) showed runs could be made late in the day.
The Cats will be desperate to recapture some form against McKinnon at Hogans Road Reserve.
Meanwhile, keep an eye out for ex-Hoppers Crossing leg spinner Fawad Ahmed, who is part of the Melbourne Renegades squad for the Big Bash. He could be used in tandem with the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan at some point.
