Tara Murray
Sunshine’s batters will have to be on again if it is to claim victory against West Coburg St Andrews in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1 competition.
The division has turned into a batter paradise this season, with big scores becoming the norm across the competition.
It was again the case on Saturday, with the Redbacks making 6-277 from their overs on day one of the two-day clash.
Crows captain-coach Troy Stone was disappointed to have conceded that many runs.
“We started off really well and they were only 20 off the first 14-15 overs,” he said. “After tea they picked up the runs.
“It was disappointing. They always had wickets in the shed and we didn’t get enough wickets early on.”
Charith Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for the Crows, taking three wickets, as eight different bowlers were used to try and get break throughs.
Having passed that total on more than one occasion this season, Stone said they were confident they could get the runs.
“It will be a massive task again and the boys will be up for the challenge and hopefully we’re up to it.
“We want to get off to a positive start and have wickets in hand at tea. They made 200 after tea.
“If we are in that situation we will be happy. We have players in form but who knows what the conditions are going to be, hopefully they are favourable for us.”
Stone said the bowlers have had to do a lot of hard work this season in the division, as the runs have been piled on.
The Crows lost their previous match after making more than 300.
“You don’t want to be chasing big scores every week,” he said. “The batting has taken over the competition.
“If you can’t make these scores in the big games and the close, then it’s going to be tough.”
While staring down another big run chase, Stone said they were happy with how the season had gone so far.
Just two points separate the top five teams, with the other teams well off the pace. Stone said every match is important in the run home with only four finals spots.
“There’s sides that have won one or two games and this is one of them,” he said. “Each week you have to be on your game.
“So far, so good, but that can change pretty quickly.”
In other matches, PEGS was bowled out for 174 against the Doutta Stars. The Stars will resume at 1-59.
In senior division, Deer Park will have to bat well again after Aberfeldie made 253 in their clash.
Keilor made 8-223 from its overs against Westmeadows, while St Albans is 3-60 in reply to Sydenham-Hillside’s 129.
Sunshine United had a game to forget bowled out for just 64 against Craigieburn. Craigieburn is 8-83 in reply having already claimed first innings points.
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