By Lance Jenkinson
Werribee has batted to expectations on day one of its encounter with Malvern, giving itself every chance of extending its winning streak to six in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west first XI.
Before a ball was bowled, the Tigers judged the ground conditions to be conducive to a par score of about 250.
They did a little better than that, finishing with 252 off 80 overs.
The well-constructed innings was slow and steady at the top before a lift in the run rate after tea.
Tigers captain Tim O’Brien said smart batting was the key.
“We knew if we had wickets in hand on a small ground, we could do some damage towards the back end of the innings,” he said.
“We got 252. We probably would’ve liked a little bit more, but if we bowl well it should be enough for us.”
The most pleasing aspect for Werribee on the day – and the season on the whole – was its ability to share the workload.
The runs were spread out among the Tigers’ batting line-up again.
“Everyone chipped in,” O’Brien said. “We’ve had pretty even performances all season. When someone has missed out, someone else has stepped up.”
The anchor of the innings was the patient Andrew Ford, who made 37 off 129 balls.
Ford has endured struggles in recent matches, so time in the middle was important for him.
“He was a bit shaky early, but he got through a very tough period and then he started to look really solid,” O’Brien said. “He saw us out through to tea … a very good effort.”
O’Brien was another starting to have a string a low scores, but he bounced back with 57 off 121 balls.
His effort was needed after the Dean brothers, Shaun (20) and Matt (eight), were dismissed relatively cheaply.
“I haven’t made too many runs the past few games, so I was definitely looking to get some,” O’Brien said.
He said he was “a bit disappointed” to go out when he did.
“I did all the hard work and then I let myself down with the shot down to long on,” he said. “I was thinking it was four, but the bloke has run around about 35 metres to take a good catch when the ball held up into the wind a bit.”
Werribee would not be in such a strong position if not for the impact of James Freeman late in the day.
He scored a fast 58 off 55 balls before he was run out.
“I said to him to go out there and hit the ball hard along the ground and back yourself,” O’Brien said.
“He played natural cricket shots along the ground. If he can bat time for us, he can be a dangerous player.”
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing faces a tough run chase away to Moorabbin on Saturday.
The Cats are 0-6 in reply to Moorabbin’s 232. Cats skipper Greg Kennedy took five wickets.
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