Tara Murray
It has been a positive start for Grand United under new coach Andrew Warrick in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield.
Coming off a grand final last season, the Gorillas have a new-look side this season which has been a breath of fresh air.
Warrick said it had been really fun so far and they were off to a good start.
He said for him it was a bit of a blank canvas with a number of new players.
“I wasn’t sure what I would get,” he said. “I’m getting to know the boys and see what their strengths are.
“The team has changed a little bit from last year.
“We’ve been happy with what we’ve got so far and how things have been going.”
On Saturday, Grand United started its two-day match with the Greenvale Kangaroos.
After winning the toss, the Gorillas made 9-338 from their 80 overs.
Warrick said they put the innings together well.
“We set a platform in the first half of the innings and that set it up,” he said. “Like last week, by tea we had about 100 runs on the board and only a couple of wickets down.
“It went a bit different this week and we lost a few wickets early after tea.
“The new guys who have come in are happy to be there and hoping in and providing that counter attack.
“They’re creating that belief in the guys that were already there.”
Hashan James top scored with 104 as he made his first top grade century for the Gorillas.
Leo Turnbull-Grant, who came in at number 10, made 58 not out.
Warrick said he was enjoying getting to know James and that he was an ultra talented player in all facets of the game and deserved a performance like that.
A strong bowling performance this Saturday would give the Gorillas their second win of the season with their other two games washed out.
Warrick said getting a good start to the season was important.
“I think getting early wins on the board is key,” he said. “You don’t know what will happen with two-day cricket and if you lose a day here or there.
“We want to try and win this week and that would be awesome if we could.”
In the Roy Picone Shield, Sunshine Heights has a fight on its hands against Pascoe Vale Hadfield.
Heights made 167 as it was bowled out in the 52nd over. The Panthers will resume at 2-39.
Caroline Springs is 0-46 in reply to Kingsville’s 167.
