Deer Park’s batters will again have to step up if it is to sit atop the table heading into Christmas in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
The Lions have been tested in recent weeks, with St Albans putting up a good showing on day one of their clash on Saturday.
The Saints were 3-223 after 49.1 overs when rain and then lightning saw the match halted.
Lions coach Mick Andriadis said the Saints batted really well before the game was called off.
“We started alright before a couple of guys batted well for St Albans and we had no luck,” he said,
“It was challenging and they’ve got some quality players and one really got going.
“[Sammika] Perera made 100 odd and we couldn’t get him out.
“He hit a lot of boundaries and rode his luck.”
Perera was 132 not out when play was halted having hit 22 fours in that total.
Jair McAllister has two wickets for the Lions so far.
Andriadis said the key early on day two would be trying to get the wicket of Perera.
“They only batted 60 odd overs and he will be dangerous next week,” he said.
“They will bat for 15 overs roughly and we need to get him out at the start of the day and get a new batter in and take it from there.”
Andriadis is backing his group in to get the job done as they’ve already done several times this season.
“We’ve been chasing really well,” he said.
“The boys have batted well and the two openers have been in great form.
“[Aaron] Shellie’s start to the season and Daniel Sartori has been great as well.
“It is going to take a few runs to get the win this week.”
The form of Shellie has been one of the highlights this season, with three 100s already in the books.
Two of those were in one-dayers with Andriadis saying scores like that take the game away from the opposition.
The two-time defending champions have proven to the team to beat again this season with one loss so far.
Andriadis said they were happy with how things were tracking.
“We’ve been fantastic with the bat and bowl other than the Airport West [St Christopher’s game],” he said.
“We still got things to work on.
“We win this week end on top at Christmas which is a good pass mark for the first half of the season.”
Andriadis said things were going well across the club and they’re continuing to give some younger guys opportunities.
In other matches, Keilor made 330 against Aberfeldie.
The partnership of Dimuth Karunarathna (117 not out) and Malith Cooray (94) was again the key.
It’s Karunarathna first 100 for the Blues.
Sydenham-Hillside will back itself in against Craigieburn on day two.
The Eagles were bowled out for 166.
Sanka Ramesh Abeyruwan took four wickets for the Storm.
