Hoppers Crossing let a golden opportunity to chase a small total slip through its fingers at the weekend, but is confident of a round-one win in Victorian Sub District Cricket Association south-west first XI.
Travelling to take on Taylors Lakes, Hoppers had the home side on the back foot early at 4-41 before a rearguard effort from the lower order pushed the Lions total to 238 at the close of play.
Cats coach Greg Kennedy said while his side had a chance to keep the total down, he was confident it had the batting order to chase down the runs this weekend.
“Having 75 overs out in the field was a good way to get stuck into the season, but we probably weren’t as consistent with the ball as we would have liked,” Kennedy said.
“Having said that, we think we’ve restricted them to a reasonable score on an oval that has a really fast outfield. I think the boundary percentage on the day was as high as it is going to be all season.
“We’ve definitely got the capabilities to chase that total down early in the year. Last year, in round two, we chased 315, so with a super fast outfield and a quality batting line-up that’s just ready to go, I’m confident we can get the job done.”
Taylors Lakes made a brisk start, with former captain Michael Brne (18) hitting some nice boundaries early in the innings, but when Brett Smith got one through his defences, it sparked a mini-collapse for the home side.
From 0-24, the Lions lost four quick wickets as Smith (2-59) and Khush Talati (3-23) struck to take control of the game.
While the home side had a couple of stabilising partnerships, it went into the tea break at 6-107 after Talati removed teenager Marcus Just (38) and Kennedy had Vishesh Bansal caught behind.
After tea, the game swung more in favour of the hosts as it put on a 63-run stand for the next wicket and the Hoppers Crossing bowlers struggled for consistency.
Important runs to Lachlan Marr (55) and Dilshan Kanchana (70) formed the backbone of the Lions’ fightback as they recovered to set a competitive total.
Kennedy said Talati was the clear standout with the ball, but everyone played their role.
“Everyone’s intent and our fielding was pretty great, but Khush, who was playing just his second game in the first XI, was probably the pick of the bowlers,” Kennedy said.
“He charged in all day and gave us everything, but everyone bowled a spell that was pretty good.
“Trent Said only bowled six overs, but got the big wicket with a really sharp stumping from Justin Goegan that got us back into the game as we were starting to slip behind.
“So it was a good team performance in the end.”
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