Sunshine YCW is the unluckiest team of the week in all of the cricket leagues combined.
YCW was dealt a cruel blow when Turf cricket announced on Friday that the second day of all two-day matches for the round would not be played on Saturday because of the poor weather during the week.
And it would, literally, have taken a tornado to stop YCW from beating Seabrook in west B1 at Bruce Comben Reserve.
YCW’s bowlers did a sterling job to rout the Saints for just 98 on the first day the previous weekend.
YCW then faced 16 overs and reached 0-97 at stumps, two short of a first-innings win, after Seabrook bowled a maiden in the final over.
Normally, the task would be completed on the second day, except that this time Mother Nature intervened and YCW had to settle for bonus points.
“One run short of a draw, two runs short of a win, but you can’t really blame the guys,” YCW president Shaun Janetzki told
Star Weekly.
“It was a disappointing way to end the game without even getting to the ground to see if it could have been played.
“[Seabrook] bowled well in those last couple of overs last week.”
But rather than dwell on the points they lost, YCW is taking a glass-half-full approach.
Given their dominance over Seabrook, they at least had the chance to bank some bonus points, which keeps them in the top two.
“We’re now two-and-a-half wins from three games, which is the best start we’ve had in a long time,” Janetzki said.
YCW has built a team to compete for a flag this summer.
They have a potent opening batting partnership between imports Tharanga Fernando (Sri Lanka) and Syed Ali Hussein (Pakistan).
Both have played first-class cricket in their home countries.
Fernando, recruited from East Warrnambool, was the man of the match against Seabrook, taking four wickets and making 67 not out.
“He’s a powerful batsman when he gets going,” Janetzki said.
“He’s also an off-spinner who bowls a good doosra that fools most batsmen.”
YCW’s bowling attack is brimming with talent, including Luke Foley, the champion player of the division last season.
Foley played his first game since injuring his ankle and was a welcome addition for YCW.
Other bowlers to shine include skipper Chris Armstrong and Matt Williams.
After a hot start with two wins and a draw in three games, YCW is aiming high this season.
“This is probably the best side we’ve put together for a couple of years,” Janetzki said.
“We’ll give it a big shake as long as everyone holds their form and stays fit.”
