Sunshine was pleasantly surprised by Williamstown’s decision to declare at 5/232 in the all-western Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association penultimate round clash at Williamstown Cricket Ground on Saturday.
In comfortable batting conditions, the Seagulls did as they pleased and were seemingly on their way to a score over 300. But with 22 overs left in the day, they opted for a bold declaration and gave the Crows a fighting chance of victory.
“I don’t know the theory behind declaring,” baffled Crows top-order batsman Troy Stone told the Weekly.
“They’re in a good position but could’ve batted us right out of the game.
“If you’re looking at a total over 300, you’re almost beaten before you go out there.
“But with 230 to chase, we’re capable and relatively confident as a batting group.”
Sunshine had a difficult afternoon in the field and it did not get any better at the crease in the dying overs.
The Crows lost two late wickets to be 2-20, still needing 213 for victory.
Mark Brown, with his former teammates breathing down his neck, survived to stumps with night watchman Ben Bonavia.
“It was an indifferent day,” Stone conceded.
One of the positives for the Crows was the tireless bowling performance of English import Fayaz Ughradar.
The former Leicestershire second XI all-rounder put the clamps on the run-making when batsmen were otherwise scoring freely.
Ughradar has played at a consistent level all summer with 246 runs at 16 and 15 wickets at 23.
“He’s a good cricketer, one of our most consistent players,” Stone said.
“We sort of expected something like that from him and he’s delivered.”
