YOU’D be hard pressed to find cricket captains brave enough to bowl on a 35-degree day.
If the decision backfires, they are in for one hell of a ribbing from teammates for the best part of six hours.
Instinct told Werribee skipper Shaun Dean to forget about the consequences and go with his gut feel.
It was a move that paid off big time.
The Tigers bowled Kingston Saints out for just 93 in a crucial Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association clash at Walter Galt Reserve on Saturday and secured the first innings points inside a day.
“It wasn’t the best-looking wicket that I’ve ever seen, crusty underneath and live green grass right through the middle of it,” Dean said.
“I had absolutely no idea how it was going to play and I was not really prepared to send our batsmen in and expect us to make runs.
“I was quite happy to watch what was going to happen before we go in and give it a crack.”
It was a nightmare for the Saints from the outset. The home side failed to register a single run off the bat in the first 10 overs. They were 2-2 and their only two runs came off no balls.
Matthew Thomson, who took a team best 5-12 off 10 overs, and Jake Purton, with 1-19 off 10-1, were in total command.
“The opening bowlers set the standards for the day,” Dean said. “For them to not be hit for a run off the bat in the first 10 overs is outstanding.
“It just showed how good their lines were and how well they were controlling the new ball.
“That was the template for the day and everyone else followed suit.”
Jonathan Burton bowled 12 overs straight for 1-15. Stephen Plumridge chimed in with 2-22 off eight.
The Tigers had to negotiate 29 overs late and slumped to 2-11 before Dean (38 not out) and Tim O’Brien (48 not out) steered them to the first innings points.
A ‘live’ ladder would see the Tigers sitting on top in the middle of this round.
They want to make that cast iron with an outright result.
“We’re not content yet,” Dean said.
“We’ll be pushing for more points.
“We obviously want top spot or as much percentage as we can.”
VSDCA
Firsts: Kingston Saints 93 (R Best 34no M Thomson 5-12 S Plumridge 2-22) v Werribee 2-101 (T O’Brien 48no S Dean 38no).
Seconds: Kingston Saints 9-197 (Gleeson 69) v Werribee.
Thirds: Brunswick 6-241 (BC Psaila 110no O de Kretser 33 M Oberklaid 27 D Buchanan 2-36) v Werribee.
Fourths: Werribee 9-224 (D Snow 50 N Buykx 45 J Budd 42 D Gage 26no D Halliwell 2-23 JE Smith 2-31 C Germon 2-32) v Brunswick.
