Westmeadows’ chances of making the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s finals rely on one thing – better form with the bat.
The Warriors’ batting was poor in the matches leading up to Christmas, with Westmeadows making fewer runs than any other team in the north A1 competition.
Coach Danny Law said his team had to improve.
“It has been a little disappointing on the whole, but it’s our batting we need to work on,” he said before the Warriors’ clash with Jacana on Saturday.
“There’s been a lack of discipline and we’ve been playing big shots too early in the innings.
“If we can bat through the innings and set a good score, we’re confident we can bowl out other teams.”
Law said the Warriors would stick with the guys already in the team and back them to turn their form around.
“We’ll give them the opportunity,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of players from the Twos pushing for spots.”
On the Saturday, the Warriors showed signs their batting was on the up when they beat Jacana for the second time this season, their only victories so far.
Sent into bat, the Warriors made 7-232 from their 40 overs, with Law and Michael Butera (not out) both making 57.
In reply. Jacana was bowled out for 120, with Praneeth Jayasundera the only man to reach double figures before he was last out for 58.
Extras was the second highest score with 26.
Star Warriors recruit Chanaka Welegedara, who missed some of the early rounds through injury, took four wickets and now has 14 for the season including nine in the last two rounds.
Sathpath Kamburugamuwa is the leading wicket-taker for the Warriors with 17.
Despite the slow start to the season, Law said Westmeadows was still looking to play finals.
The win against Jacana sees the Warriors jump to sixth on the ladder, 15 points behind fourth-placed Aberfeldie.
“We think we can close that gap,” Law said.
Craigieburn also helped its finals chances in North A1 with victory over St Francis de Sales.
St Francis de Sales made 5-173 from its overs, which Craigieburn reached with three wickets in hand and now sits fifth on the ladder.
In the Senior division, Tullamarine made 151 then bowled out Hampton for 60 to win by 91 runs.
Greenvale Kangaroos slipped from top of the ladder with a loss at Bonbeach Tangy.
