Tara Murray
Keilor is starting to play the type of cricket it knows it can play in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
After a slow start to the season, the Blues have taken a liking to the return of the two-day format, which is back for the first time since COVID-19.
Having claimed the points in the first of the two-dayers and on top after day one against Westmeadows, there are some good signs.
Blues coach Duncan Harrison said the group was starting to gel together and play some good cricket.
“It’s long overdue,” he said. “We’re starting to play the cricket we have wanted to play all year which has been good.
“I don’t think we were too far away early in the season. We had been competitive at times and not at other times.
“Two-day cricket has been a nice restart and it’s a chance to start again.”
Harrison said looking at their list they were better suited to the longer format of the game. He said while many teams had a dynamic opener or top order batter who could take the game away from you, they were more about building an innings.
The Blues batting has been boosted by the arrival of Malith Cooray from Victorian Premier Cricket just before Christmas.
Harrison said he was the perfect player to add to their squad.
“He has been sensational,” he said. “He’s a class player who can bat and bowl.
“We were bowler short at the start and then a batter short later on.
“He’s come in and balanced the side. He prepares really well.”
On Saturday, the Blues responded against Westmeadows after losing the toss.
The Warriors were bowled out for 110 in the 51st over.
Cooray and Matthew Gaskett took three wickets each for the Blues.
Harrison said Cooray and Miguel Cummins bowled well early and helped the side get on top.
The Blues will resume at 2-76 with Robert Clements 39 not out.
“We’re really happy and we’re in a good position,” Harrison said.
“We batted really well and then we had to consolidate and bat for stumps which is something we have done for two or three years.
“We’ll try and get the win and see what happens. It’s hard to make finals because of our early results, but we’ll turn up and try and win and see what happens from there.”
In other matches, Deer Park continues to shine with the bat.
The Lions made 9-289 with Upul Bandara top scoring with 76.
Craigieburn faced four overs at the end of day one and will resume at 0-1.
St Albans has a tough task ahead of it against the Druids.
The Saints were bowled out for just 146. Arosh Janoda top scored with 37. The Druids will resume at 0-16.
Sunshine United made 277 against Haig Fawkner. Neetan Chouhan was the star, making 109.
