If they hadn’t already, Greenvale Kangaroos have well and truly shaken the tag of being Victorian Premier Cricket’s easybeats.
The Kangaroos have won as many matches so far in 2016-17 as they did in the previous two seasons combined, and four rounds still remain.
In fact, a handful of more runs across a scattering of games would see them sitting equal fifth on the ladder after 13 rounds instead of 13th and one game outside the top eight.
Kangaroos coach Stan Nell said they were still doing what they had done 12 months ago, but now the hard work was starting to pay off.
Saturday’s win against Kingston Hawthorn was a case in point.
Last season, coming off the Christmas break, the Kangaroos produced their worst performance: bowled out for 69.
“We’ve pretty much stuck to the routine we set up at the start of last season,” Nell said.
“It’s starting to have more of an impact 12 months on. We’ve still got a lot of hard work to go, but we’re inching our way to results.”
On Saturday, the Kangaroos looked comfortable throughout against Kingston Hawthorn.
Kingston Hawthorn started well to be 1-53, but the Kangaroos didn’t panic and bowled them out for 174 with 10 balls remaining.
Trent Waring led the way with four wickets in what Nell said was a good team performance.
“We bowled really well as a group,” he said.
“Trent was fantastic and was backed well by Aaron [Smillie] and Kyle [Adams].”
More pleasing for Nell was the performance of the batsmen. Once the Kangaroos’ weakness, the line-up is finding more consistency by the week.
The Kangaroos finished 4-175, making the runs with nine overs remaining.
Sunam Gautam top-scored with 46 at the top of the order, while captain Jarrod Leggett was unbeaten on 41.
The win leaves the Kangaroos just four points outside the top eight, and an unlikely finals berth beckons with four two-day matches remaining.
Nell said he would lying to say they weren’t looking at finals. With the side having lost three games by one run, the coach knows they aren’t far away.
“The top eight is always something you think about. If we can rattle off a couple of games and get into the eight it would be a boost for the club.
“We’re just going to focus on the basics and be better than we’ve been in the past.”
The Kangaroos’ Victorian Turf Cricket Association side started 2017 with a loss to Spotswood.
The Kangaroos made 6-158, with Tallan Wright making 78 off 87 balls.
In reply, Spotswood made it home, at 3-165, with Jacob Thompson claiming two wickets for the Kangaroos.
Elsewhere, Tullamarine lost to ladder leader Yarraville Club; Westmeadows took the points against Craigieburn in a low-scoring north-west A1 match; while Jacana and Roxburgh Park Falcons had mixed results in north A1, with Jacana getting a win.
