Tara Murray
To be the best you have to beat the best.
That’s the task ahead of Keilor as it aims for a finals berth in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
The Blues enter the last three rounds sitting fifth, just three points outside the top six.
The task ahead of them to make finals isn’t an easy one, with their last three opponents, Aberfeldie, Yarraville Club and Haig Fawkner, sitting in the top four.
Blues senior cricket operations coordinator Guy Barbuto said the side was confident they could give it a good crack at making finals.
“We have won three in a row, and there’s no reason why we can’t continue that,” he said.
“We have a couple of injuries, but we’re showing our depth.
“There’s a lot of belief in this group.
“If we win three we should get a berth in finals, if we win three and don’t, it goes back on us for dropping a couple of games we should not have.”
Barbuto said the side had become more settled in recent weeks despite the injuries. He said international Miguel Cummins had integrated into the group, while 18-year-old Jhett Gaskett had really started to look at home after coming up from the second XI.
“We haven’t been able to field a full team this season, but we’ve had players fill a role,” Barbuto said.
“We’ve had better results in the twos as well, which is showing our depth.
“Jhett has come in and been absolute super. Daniel Starvis has moved up the order to fill a void.
“Rob Clements after Christmas has been god. Luke McManus and Kristian Dixon have been good while Luke Delbridge has been huge improver.”
In massive news for the club Cummins has re-signed for a further two seasons. The former West Indian international has taken 21 wickets in eight games to lead the competition.
Barbuto said his influence across the whole club had been massive.
“We don’t have to look for a strike bowler now,” he said.
“He is a pure enforcer and other sides are wary of him, he was a wicket taking ball.
“He has been working with the younger bowlers like McManus, Gasket and Jackson
Barbuto also praised the leadership of captain Nathan Beever as a captain and as a batter.
The first of the three massive matches is set for this weekend against Yarraville Club.
Barbuto said they needed to play their game to get the wins on board.
“We need to play on our terms,” he said.
“We need to set good platforms with the bat and be ruthless in the field and bowl tight lines.
“Hopefully the bowlers are able to rip through them.”
In other matches set to be played on the weekend, Druids was to play Sunshine United, Aberfeldie was hosting Doutta Stars, Craigieburn and St Albans were set to play, while Westmeadows and Haig Fawkner were to face off.
