Harper Sercombe
Greenvale Kangaroos need just four wickets to claim their first win of the Victorian Premier Cricket season.
After batting first on Saturday against Fitzroy Doncaster, the Kangaroos struggled to get away to a strong start with both openers falling for single figures.
In at three, young batsman Odil Perera was able to dig out a strong 44 run innings to get his team on the way.
Perera, batting with fellow youngster Angus Webb who made an unbeaten 47 from 126 deliveries, got the Kangaroos to 173 before they were bowled out in the 59th over.
The Lions then had 30 overs to bat before the close of play, some great bowling by the Kangaroos has the Lions at 6-68 at stumps.
Praveen Dilanka, 2-19 and Nirmana Fernando, 2-17, were the Kangaroo’s best with the ball.
Kangaroos’ director of coaching Ash Cavigan said the boys were really happy after day one.
“It was good to see young Odil Perera get back into a little bit of touch, and young Angus Webb, who is only in this third or fourth game and he played his role really well yesterday [Saturday],” he said.
“The boys fought hard to get to something that might be reasonably competitive, but to walk off with them six down is a really good effort. Who knows what will happen next week now.”
While Cavigan said that the 173 was probably under par at Greenvale Reserve, the bowling to end the day was very positive.
“In two-day cricket you are always going to be targeting 230, 240-plus, especially at Greenvale, it’s always a good batting wicket, it’s a good ground to score runs on,” he said.
“For us, every week is a new challenge, it’s a new learning experience. For a young group that’s only played a handful of games together at that level, there’s improvements, there’s little things there that we can lean into and take positives out of, so that’s great.
“It’s great to be in the contest, that’s the main thing.”
However, a potential return to the Lions from Australian international cricketer Glen Maxwell, provides the Kangaroos with even more challenges on Saturday.
“Maxi plays for the club whenever he can, which I think’s brilliant and it says a bit about him,” Cavigan said.
“Maybe it’s not so good for us but gives a young bloke a chance to get his wicket, that’s my message to the boys, you want to get Glen Maxwell out don’t you, that’s why we play.”
