Tara Murray
Westmeadows is in total control against Glenroy after the first two days of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Division 1 north Tony Issacs grand final.
Strong performances with the bat, and then ball, has the Warriors sitting 240 runs ahead with that tally likely to climb early on day three.
Warriors captain-coach Tarek Moughanie said they were thrilled with where things were situated.
“We are seven down [in the second innings] and 240 in front,” he said.
“That’s more than anything they have made this season. They have made 200 once.
“We don’t know what else will happen this week [weather and coronavirus], which makes it more important.
“A first innings win is a win if anything happens.”
The Warriors had a mixed day with the bat, but were able to put 214 on the board.
Several players got starts, but no one was able to go on and make a big score, with Chinthaka Jayasinghe top scoring 46.
Moughanie said they were happy with that score in the end.
“We were 7-146, so to make 214 from there the tail really wagged.”
The Warriors bowlers got on top early on day two and needed just over 37 overs to get the job done, bowling Glenroy out for 80.
Moughanie said they would take that any day of the week.
“The boys bowled really well and Pittsy [Dean Pitts] was the standout. He bowled ridiculously well, taking 4-7 off 17 overs.
“He and Jacko [Jackson Smith] as a partnership have been great all season. Every bowler who came on did a job.
“Darrel [Brown] took a couple of wickets including [Malith] Cooray. At 6-60 we were confident of leading on the first innings.
“It was nice to finish them off quickly.”
The Warriors decided to have another crack with the bat. They will resume at 7-106.
Clayton Campbell scored 44.
Moughanie said they would look to continue batting on day three.
“We want to set them a big target,” he said. “We are confident with a lead of 200 aleady.
“We’ll look to get it over 250 and would like a target of 300 at the very least.
“Anything north of 200 is hard to chase in a fourth innings with finals pressure.”
