By Lance Jenkinson
After five straight losses to start the season, Taylors Lakes can sniff a second victory in succession.
The Lions hold the upper hand against Ormond after an action-packed first day at Lionheart Reserve on Saturday.
It was a relatively drama free start to proceedings with Ormond losing its first wicket for none before steadying to advance to 3-89.
At that point, the first day was at the crossroads, with both sides giving as good as they got in the arm wrestle.
Then Taylors Lakes opening bowler Dilshan Kanchana said enough is enough. Kanchana lit the match for his side to take the last seven Ormond wickets for just 21 runs.
The medium pacer finished with stunning figures of 8-33 off 12-2 overs, leaving Ormond all out for 110 in 45.2 overs.
Kanchana had the ball talking all day. He induced snicks from the Ormond batsmen and his wicketkeeper Lachlan Marr needed no second invitation.
Photo Gallery: Taylors Lakes vs Ormond
Marr finished with five catches – all off the bowling of Kanchana.
Kanchana’s eight-wicket haul is more scalps in one fell swoop than he had taken in his previous six games. Having played first class cricket in Sri Lanka, there was no doubt that the 23-year-old would produce such a performance for Taylors Lakes before too long.
Small totals can be tricky to chase, particularly for a side as desperate as Taylors Lakes, who is battling to move off the bottom of the ladder.
However, the Lions have made a solid start and will require just 27 runs to take first innings points with six wickets left.
At 3-44, Taylors Lakes needed a partnership to ease the nerves. Again it was Kanchana who combined with Nipun Sumanasinghe to turn the tide in the Lions’ favour.
Kanchana and Sumanasinghe put on 38 runs for the fourth wicket.
Kanchana was dismissed for 17, while Sumanasinghe continued on his merry way to finish the day on 42 not out.
Sumanasinghe is a scary proposition for the Ormond bowlers. Armed with knowledge of how the Monders bowl and with some shine off the ball, he could be on the verge of a big innings for the Lions.
The first order of business for Taylors Lakes on Saturday will be getting those 27 runs to secure its second win in a row.
MORE VSDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/meltons-bats-lack-determination/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/plenty-valley-puts-the-heat-on-noble-park/
