You never know who is going to stand up and do the job for Plenty Valley in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association’s north-south division.
Each week it seems like a different player is stepping up for a stand-out day.
Last week, it was Luke Robinson, who made 112 on day one of the match against Malvern.
On Saturday, it was Simon Black, who bowled his side to victory.
Defending 287, the Bats bowled Malvern out for 197, with Black taking 7-40 off 15.3 overs.
Bats coach Matthew Hewat said the performance of Black was a reward for hard work.
“We bowled pretty well,” he said. “Simon bowled brilliantly. He has bowled well all season, but hasn’t had much luck. Luck turned his way.
“He’s really enjoying his cricket. He made nearly a 50 last week, so he’s contributing with the bat even though he’s batting low in the order.”
Hewat said it was pleasing to see the likes of Black and Robinson coming straight into the team and performing.
He said getting the players working together well early in the season had been a focus.
“Luke is important for us,” he said. “He put pressure on the bowlers last week, even before tea, and he’ll be really important after Christmas.”
Hewat said Robinson, who took a hat-trick earlier in the season, was a relaxed player in the field who loved to bowl.
The Bats will face Coburg in a one-day match ahead of the Christmas break. The Bats are second on the ladder, a game behind Elsternwick.
Hewat said a win in that final match would put them in a good position.
“We’re five from six at the moment,” he said. “It’s a big game against Coburg. Everyone is chasing Elsternwick now.”
Meanwhile, David McKay guided Brunswick to victory against the Bats in the second round of the VSDCA’s T20 twilight competition.
The Bats, batting first, hit 6-114 off their 20 overs. But that proved no problem for Brunswick, which chased down the runs with 10 balls to spare.
McKay top-scored with 60 not out, hitting a six to finish the game.
The loss means the Bats’ T20 season is over.
“It was a disappointing result,” Hewat said. “It would have been nice to go at least another round in that competition.
“We were a bit lucky to get a favourable result against St Bernards in the round before. We didn’t have the same luck this time.”
