Sunshine United endured two draining days in the field at the start of its four-day Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-west grand final against Haig Fawkner at Laverton Park.
The Tigers were forced into the field in conditions that bordered on cruelty, the flat track offering no assistance to the bowlers and heat and wind making it uncomfortable for the fielders.
Haig Fawkner was good enough to capitalise, posting a gigantic 8-413 declared off 144 overs.
Tigers captain Neeten Chouhan lamented a losing coin toss.
“The wicket is really flat so it was always going to be tough for the side that lost the toss,” he said. “There was nothing in it – no bounce, no pace, no seam movement.”
If it was not for Leigh Sheridan, Sunshine United might be chasing a bigger total.
The left-arm spinner produced a mighty effort to send down 43 overs for a return of 4-97.
Sheridan’s ability to tie up an end and give the seam bowlers a rest was as important as his wickets and economy.
“If it wasn’t for his 43 overs, who knows what score they might’ve got,” Chouhan said. “Regardless of what you’re bowling, 43 overs is a really long time to bowl and both spells were really long ones. He’s sore, but he knows how vital the work was that he’s done for the team.”
All of Sunshine United’s bowlers had to work overtime. Seven bowlers churned out 10 plus overs.
The other standouts were opening bowler Michael Glowacki with 1-62 off 24 overs and Tom Duxson, bowling a mixture of spin and pace, with 1-69 off 23.
Chouhan was proud of his bowlers for sticking to the task until the declaration finally came with 16 overs left on day two.
The Tigers will start the third day on 0-25 after Chouhan and Scott Dalrymple negotiated 16 overs without loss late on day two.
Chouhan believes that his side can succeed in similar conditions.
“It’s about breaking down the game into much smaller sessions,” he said.
“If you get the process right, the result will come and that’s what we’re trying to drive next week.”
In the north A1 grand final, Sunshine obtained a 54-run lead on first innings against Moonee Valley at Kinder Smith Reserve. The Crows posted 178 in the first innings and had the Valleys out for 124.
Late on day two, Sunshine faced 28 overs to produce 3-65 for an overall lead of 119.
In the west A1 decider, Grand United is slightly behind the eight ball against Seabrook after trailing by 24 runs on first innings at Crofts Reserve.
United has made a few breakthroughs in the second innings to have the Saints in a bit of bother at 3-40 and with an overall lead of 64.
In the north-west B1 grand final, Deer Park had a tidy 50-run lead after the first innings against Williamstown CYMS at Ainsworth Reserve.
But the Lions have some work to do after going to stumps on the second day on 3-19 with an overall lead of 69.
Lance Jenkinson
