By Tara Murray
With wet weather across the last two weekends, the Jaguars have spent plenty of time on the sidelines, instead of on the park.
It has meant their last two matches have both ended in draws.
Jaguars captain Brett Jensen said it hadn’t been an ideal start to the season.
“It has been frustrating with two washouts in a row, especially with some of the opposition getting results,” he said.
“It’s not ideal. We’ve got a fair few new players and so we need to get some cricket together under our belts.
The first of the two washouts, the Jaguars had got themselves into a match winning position.
After a tough day with the bat, they had Footscray ANA 8-108 chasing 130.
On Saturday, there was little action against Sanctuary Lakes.
PHOTO GALLERY: Jacana vs Sanctuary Lakes
Sanctuary Lakes was 0-59 when rain stopped play.
Having lost their first game, the Jaguars sit second bottom without a win this season.
Jensen said they had always expected the side to build throughout the season and hit their straps late.
They have five new players this season, with a couple of players who couldn’t commit full time last season back on for the full season.
“We’ve got a mix of players that we went out and recruited, some players who have played for us before and a few players who have joined us through people who are playing with us,” Jensen said.
“We knew we were going to lose a couple of players, so we needed to replace them this season.”
Anuk Alwis, who is the Jaguars leading wicket taker so far, and wicketkeeper Thanura Gunasekara, are two players that the Jaguars targeted.
Both have started the season well.
Lasanka Ananda gives the Jacana another medium pace bowling option, while Zac Cluney and Michael Evans also return after injury riddled seasons last year.
Jensen said they were hoping to have a bit more luck with getting on the pitch the next couple of weeks to start building their season.
He said having made finals last season, their aim was to go at least one step further.
“The last few years the top six or seven sides could beat each other and I think that will continue this season.
“I think we’ve underperformed with the talent we have with the bat the last couple of years.
“If we can have more consistency, it will give our bowlers a chance.
“We had a disappointing end last season in finals, there’s the motivation to go better this season.”
In other divisions, there wasn’t much action for Greenvale Kangaroos, Craigieburn, Westmeadows and Tullamarine.
All their matches were washouts.
