From the moment Werribee’s top order set foot on Bayswater Oval, they were drooling at a prospect of a run feast.
The Tigers have done it tough on occasions in sub-district cricket this season, with unfavourable batting conditions leading to some low totals.
But they were free of pitfalls and able to unleash their full arsenal on Saturday to make a competitive 7-282 against their opponents.
“The boys have been struggling with the bat lately, so it was good for guys to get some runs,” Tigers top order batsman Shaun Dean said.
“It was a nice flat wicket, the outfield was just as good, so it was a real nice day to bat.”
Werribee has been one of the most dominant batting sides in sub-district cricket for the best part of five seasons. This summer though, luck has gone against them.
The previous week, the Tigers were bowled out for 48.
“We just had to put that our of our minds because it had nothing to do with the way we batted,” Dean said. “The wicket was an absolute disgrace.”
But that wasn’t Werribee’s only low score of the season. The Tigers were routed for 77 by Williamstown and 114 by Croydon.
“Against Williamstown, they bowled really well and we didn’t bat well at all, so it was more to do with our application,” Dean said. “The Croydon one … we turned up and half the wicket was under water.
“It’s really only been one game where it’s been our own fault with application. When we turn up to some good conditions, we know we’ve got some good batting depth there, and it showed through on the weekend.
“We’re way better than the totals we’ve been putting out.”
So, there were no excuses for Werribee on Saturday, and none needed.
The Tigers were in control from the outset – openers Adam Alifraco (43) and Matthew Burton (30) putting on 64 before the first wicket fell.
“They set the whole day up for us,” Dean said.
It was the O’Brien show that put Werribee in command. The Tigers’ captain brushed off his new year struggles to post 91.
Dean (54) played the anchor role at the other end in a 127-run third wicket partnership, that took the Tigers to 3-201. O’Brien clipped the Bayswater spinners all over the park.
“He came out and dominated straight away,” Dean said. “They bowled about 50 overs of spin and that’s Tim’s bread and butter, so it got him going.”
Werribee still has a bit of hard yakka in front of it to get the six points. If the same conditions are available to Bayswater, the home side has the firepower to chase down a big score.
“We’re definitely going to have to bowl well,” Dean said. “Once you get set, it’s going to be hard to get anyone out.”
It will be win at all costs for both sides, both sitting just outside the top six.
