Tara Murray
After a disappointing Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season, St Albans has still walked away with some silverware claiming the T20 title.
The Saints were crowned the kings of the shortest format on Tuesday night, defeating Grand United in the grand final.
Saints coach Shafraz Mohamed said it was nice to get some reward for their season.
“It is exciting since the team isn’t going to make finals, at least we get some silverware,” he said.
“We took it seriously. I’ve played in four losing T20 grand finals with Keilor.
“The format and the team we have we’re more suited to the shorter format. We have too many all rounders.
“I thought we had a very good chance with the quality we had.”
Grand United won the toss and decided to bat. The Gorillas finished 9-106 from their 20 overs with Hashan James top scoring with 36.
Arosh Gamage was the pick of the bowlers for the Saints.
Mohamed said they were happy with that total.
“Our bowling is our strength,” he said. “ Even on Saturdays we’ve been able to restrict teams and are yet to bowl our 80 overs
“I’m not surprised we bowled well and kept them under par.”
The Saints batters were made to work hard for the runs. They would eventually hit the winning runs with an over to spare, finishing 7-107.
Lihan Dulshan was the star with 38 not out off 36 balls to guide his side home. He was named player of the match.
Mohamed, who previously played against Grand United in the lower grades, said that Grand United had bowled and fielded well and bought the pressure they are known for.
While the Saints walk away with the T20 title, they will miss finals in the senior division.
The side was sitting in seventh place heading into the final, a game and percentage behind fourth placed Aberfeldie.
Mohamed in his first season as coach of the Saints said it was disappointing not to be featuring in finals action.
“We have about four occasions where the game was ours until the final session,” he said.
“Sydenham-Hillside made 129, Aberfeldie 140 and we missed out by four runs on an outright against Craigieburn.
“We were nine runs short against Sunshine United a couple of weeks ago. We needed our batters to dig deeper.
“Had those results gone our way, we would have been second on the ladder and it would be a different outcome next week.”
The Saints finished their season on Saturday against Deer Park, after deadline.
Mohamed said the side would be better for the experiences next season.
“It’s been a new crew for me,” he said. “There’s been four new players and it’s been a bit of a task getting everyone to gel.
“It’s a work in progress and not something that I could achieve in a short period of time. “We’re only going to get better if everyone sticks together and plays to each other’s strengths.
