Greenvale Kangaroos have produced some of their best cricket of the Victorian Premier Cricket season against Footscray, but in the end it means little.
With rain washing out the majority of play across all first XI games, games will revert to one-day games this Saturday. Less than 36 overs were bowled in five of the nine games.
As per rules 17.5.2, if no points result has been obtained in a particular grade on the first day and in five or more matches, fewer than 36 completed overs in first XI then for that grade the round will be re-scheduled as a one-day match.
Taking to the field for the first time in the new year, the Kangaroos had the Bulldogs scrambling at 6-38 before they settled to be 8-148 when rain set in and halted play.
Just 52 overs were bowled – the most of any premier first XI match on Saturday.
Speaking before the decision to revert to a one-day game, Kangaroos coach Jarrod Leggett was thrilled with how his side start the second part of the season.
“We’ve been disappointed with the wins and losses,” he said. “The boys could have just rolled up.
“There was some really good energy levels and they got the rewards. They’re still giving it a go and not giving up.”
Nathan Johnson was the star of the day, taking 5-33, including five of the first six wickets.
Jordan Buckingham and Kyle Adams also bowled well, according to Leggett, who said the development of Johnson and Buckingham had been a big tick for the side this season.
“It’s Nathan’s first five-wicket haul, in just his eighth or ninth first Xi match,” he said. “He bowled at a sensational level.
“Jordan is really talented … the most pleasing thing with him is what goes on above the shoulders.
“He’s a really mature kid and trains like a professional, which is rare for someone his age.”
He said they had expected the Bulldogs to fight back after the disastrous start.
“They’re a really good side that bats deep,” he said. “We knew they would put partnerships together.
“We were happy at 6-40 … anything under 150 we would have taken at the start of the day.”
Leggett said they would have been have been confident in getting the runs, if the match stayed as a two-day match.
