The Westmeadows batsmen relished the chance to have an extended hit in Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s north-west A1 competition.
With rain postponing the Warriors’ season opener and the weather also denying them the chance to chase down Williamstown CYMS’s total last week, the Warriors’ batsmen had faced nine overs in the opening three weeks of the season.
So the new-look Warriors batting line-up was itching to have a bat on Saturday against Pascoe Vale Hadfield.
Led by star recruits Praneeth Jayasundara and Tarique Jeffrey, the Warriors made the most of the opportunity by making a massive 6-330. Jayasundara, who arrived from Jacana in the off season, made 137 and assistant coach Jeffrey made 72.
Jeffrey, who is in his second stint at the Warriors, said that recruiting a player of Jayasundara’s calibre was a massive coup for the club. In the match against Williamstown CYMS, which finished in a draw, he took six wickets.
“We used to play together,” Jeffrey said. “He’s a good pick-up and has had consistency in the first couple of games.”
Jeffrey has returned to the club after leading Pascoe Vale to a premiership last season as captain-coach.
Jeffrey and Jayasundara are among a number of inclusions to a Warriors side looking to strengthen a batting line-up that has struggled the past few years. Mark King has come across from Gowanbrae, while Steven McKay joined from Footscray United.
“On paper, we look a good side,” Jeffrey said. “But we still need to perform. The last couple of years we’ve been good on paper, too, but haven’t been able to capitalise.
“We’re being really positive and looking to play good cricket. With Chanaka Welegedara, who played 20 Tests for Sri Lanka, Danny Law and Sathpath Kamburugamuwa, we pretty much bat down the order.”
Jayasundara and Jeffrey also strengthen the bowling line-up, which is led by Welegedara, the side’s new captain-coach who is in his second season at the club after moving from Sri Lanka.
Jeffrey said the relationship between coach and assistant coach was an easy one.
“I played with him at the same club back home,” Jeffrey said. “He brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the role.”
In other north-west A1 matches, Craigieburn made 124 before having Glenroy 5-55 at stumps. In north A1, Roxburgh Park made 8-221 against Caroline Springs.
Jacana has already conceded first-innings points against Moonee Valley. Jacana made 186 before Moonee Valley piled on the runs to be 7-237 at stumps.
