The future is now for Hoppers Crossing in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
With injuries and visa issues, the Cats fielded seven players 21 and under on the opening day of their match with Spotswood.
With the Woodsmen set to be one of the teams to beat this season, Cats’ coach Simon Lambert knows it is a big test for the group.
“There’s a lot of opportunities to step up,” he said. “We saw that improvement yesterday [Saturday].
“They were 2-200 on a flat pitch and it was a huge improvement as they should have scored 320.
“It leaves the door open for next week.”
The Woodsmen ended up piling on 279 as they were bowled out in the second last over.
Lambert said the group didn’t give up and made sure that Spotswood worked hard for every run.
“We responded really well on what was a flat pitch,” he said. “I thought their batters at the top, they’ve got the best top four in the competition, batted conservatively and made it hard to get them out.
“For 90 per cent of the team we were really good. After tea we dropped off for 10-15 overs which was a little bit disappointing with a few misfields and there were a few mistakes.
“The way we stuck at it was pleasing.”
Arihant Rawal took six wickets for the Cats and was the standout bowler.
He’s a Hoppers Crossing junior, who has come back to the club from Victorian Premier Cricket.
Lambert said he was fabulous.
Lambert said the run chase leaves them needing three and half runs an over.
“We bat all the way to 10,” he said.
“If we bat well right to the finish and take the opportunity when it matters.
“It’s a good test of where we’re at at as a team. I think they’re a team that will finish in the top four.
Lambert said they were hoping to get Abbas Faiyaz back from split webbing in his hand in the next couple of games.
He said they were still awaiting for Daryl Ferrario to arrive in the country.
Ferrario is yet to get his visa approved. Lambert said they were hoping to have that sorted as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Werribee will need early wickets if its to beat Altona.
The Tigers were bowled out for 153 with Dean Russ top scoring with 49.
Tim O’Brien and Adam Alifraco were the others among the runs.
Altona set itself up for a good shot at the win in week two, finishing Saturday at 2-44.
Matt Watt has a wicket for the Tigers, while there was also a run out.
Elsewhere, the Cats women’s side lost to Mambourin in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association women’s social T20 competition.
The Cats made 6-117 with Mambourin getting the runs in the 16th over, finishing 5-118.
