The heat is well and truly on Werribee Centrals.
The Centurions began a tense Victorian Turf Cricket Association north A1 final round in a comfy position above the relegation zone with their destiny seemingly in their own hands.
That all changed on Saturday when they were sucked back into the relegation scrap by some surprising close-of-play scores around the grounds.
The Centurions were already behind the eight ball on their own ground, having been set a weighty target of 217 for victory by top-four side Sunshine Druids at Galvin Park.
This would be the Centurions’ biggest successful run chase of the summer if they were to nail it.
The silver lining is that their most recent innings total was 8-214 against bottom side St Andrew’s in the game prior. But the Saints are a different proposition to the premiership-contending Druids.
“We go into the run chase with a little bit of confidence, especially after last week’s win,” Centurions secretary Chris Duffin said.
“We know we’ve got the side to make over 200 … hopefully, the guys can build partnerships and take it step by step.
“If we bat our 80 overs, we’ll get those runs.”
Trouble for the Centurions may also come from further afield.
With 63.55 points, they are precariously placed, relying on other sides to restrict the amount of points earned by St Francis de Sales (63.39), St Albans (57.43) and Youlden Parkville (56.25) – the three sides directly beneath them on the ladder.
Outright results are possible in those games and that could further muddy the waters for the Centurions.
“It will be impossible from our position to win outright, so it’s all about getting the 200,” Duffin said.
“The rest is up to the cricketing gods. You just hope a few sides can hold firm and we don’t get an unpredictable result.”
The Centurions held firm for much of the opening day against Druids, keeping the visitors to just 38 off the opening 20 overs and generally keeping things tight until the tea break.
But the pitch at Shaws Road is known for rewarding a side that has wickets in hand.
And as any good side will, the Druids cashed in late in the day.
“It was a usual Centrals wicket,” Duffin said.
“There’s always a little bit in it for the bowlers to start with. Batting in that first hour can be quite difficult.
“But if you’ve got wickets in hand in the second half of the day, you are going to be able to score quite quickly towards the end.”
The Centurions begin their run chase at 1pm on Saturday and will know their fate some five hours later.
