Werribee captain-coach Mitch Johnstone has lauded the continued improvement of his bowlers after they picked apart Melton in a rare one-day win in Sub-District cricket at McPherson Park on Saturday.
The Tigers had a crushing eight-wicket victory with 14 overs to spare on the back of the bowlers restricting the home side to a snails paced 119 off 45 overs.
Johnstone has been impressed with the output of his bowling attack, not only on Saturday, but over a stretch of recent games.
“That’s been a bit of a growth area,” he told Star Weekly. “We’ve bowled pretty consistently in the last five or six weeks, just before Christmas and since then as well.”
Jack Budd was at the forefront of the bowling assault for Werribee.
The Tigers teenager was spot on in his six overs, taking 3-11, including two maidens.
More performances like this and Budd could soon be a lock for that third seam bowling position in the attack.
“He was coming back off an injury and as soon as he was fit, we tried to get him in and he did a really good job,” Johnstone said.
“He’s got five wickets from two first XI games for not many runs, so he’s been outstanding for us. He doesn’t give you many bad balls, he’s stump to stump and his control is his biggest asset.”
James Freeman was at his intimidating best.
The fiery fast bowler took 2-28 off nine overs, including the big scalps of Melton skipper David Kirk and first drop Anthony Gale.
“He bowled quick today, shook them up a little,” Johnstone said.
Brad Robertson restricted the home side’s run flow with 2-23 off nine, while spinners Johnstone and Tim O’Brien, facing his former club, snared a wicket apiece.
Werribee encountered few speed humps on the road to the target.
Shaun Dean started and finish the innings with 56 not out, while getting assistance from Matt Dean (23), Tim O’Brien (13) and Chris Hennessy (14).
The Tigers might be sitting pretty in fifth with their destiny in their own hands, but, incredibly, this was their first one-day win of the season after three losses and a draw.
“Broke the hoodoo there,” Johnstone said with a bit of relief in his voice. “It’s been a big gorilla on our back.
“We’ve still got some work to do in the shorter form, but it’s good to break through and now we know we can do it. I won the toss and bowled today, just to try something a bit different and I guess it’s paid dividends.”
The Tigers return home for a two-day clash with Sunshine at Chirnside Park, starting on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing’s dream first summer in Sub-District cricket continued with a crucial three-wicket win over Ormond away at Gunn Reserve.
Set 148, the Cats reached the target with 14 balls to spare, spearheaded by Hendro Dias, who made 32 not out in the middle order.
The Cats shared the work load with the ball, with Dinesh Daminda, Alex Wyatt, Greg Kennedy and Brett Smith collecting two wickets each.
Wyatt was undoubtedly the pick of the bowlers with a suffocating 2-9 off nine overs, including four maidens.
The fourth-placed Cats are back at Hogans Road on Saturday for the start of a two-day battle with Melton.
