Wyndhamvale will have to produce something out of the box to chase down Deer Park’s massive total of 250 in VTCA north-west B1.
The Falcons have their backs against the wall, considering they have yet to achieve a score in excess of 200 this summer.
Their best chance is to bat out the full 80 overs at Wyndhamvale Reserve on Saturday – another achievement yet to be attained so far this season.
They also have the little issue of a shaky start, being already 2-17 after 12 overs.
Falcons allrounder Ryan Radford admits the odds are stacked against his side.
“Considering we haven’t made 200 all year, it would certainly be a good effort for us to get there,” he said. “We’ll try and bat as well as we can. If we bat the whole 80 overs, we’ll be a chance. That’s been our biggest problem this season – batting out the overs.”
There are factors in Wyndhamvale’s favour. The Falcons have been much better with the bat since Christmas, compiling three of their highest scores of the season in the new year. They will be aided by the batsmen-friendly conditions at Wyndhamvale Reserve, including a pitch that plays truly and a fast outfield.
“The pitch at Wyndhamvale has been good all year, so there’s no complaints there,” Radford said.
“The outfield is quick and it’s forecast for 31C at this stage, so all the elements are there.”
Wyndhamvale did well to restrict Deer Park to 250 – at one point a score above 300 was looking likely.
Falcons bowlers Jay Dolliver (3-38), Ben Funell (2-53) and Aaron Graham (1-51) did well to reel in the run rate.
All seven Falcons bowlers took a wicket.
“They were 60 runs off eight overs, so for the next 60 overs, we’ve only conceded another 190 runs,” Radford said.
Wyndhamvale is all but out of finals contention, but still has plenty to play for.
The Falcons need to keep winning to stave off the threat of relegation.
“We just want to stay up now – that’s our goal,” Radford said.
Point Cook was dismal on day one against West Newport, bowled out for 83 and already 108 runs behind at stumps.
The Warriors could be dragged into the relegation talk if they are not careful.
In north-west A1, Werribee Centrals posted 156 against St Andrews Footscray, which was 2-20 at stumps.
In west A1, Bellbridge (115) is staring down the barrel against Williamstown Colts (3-105).
Seabrook (149) appears shaky against Gellibrand (3-58).
In sub-district cricket, a win for Werribee was never in doubt against Bayswater.
After setting a massive target of 273, the Tigers bowled the Bays out for 135, with young fast bowler Matthew Watt taking 4-12 off 8.1 overs and James Freeman snaring 3-34 off 15 and effecting a run-out.
Hoppers Crossing produced a gutsy second-day performance with the bat to avoid an outright loss to Yarraville.
Sanka Abeyruwan (41) and Luke Goegan (34) were the Cats’ top scorers.
