Greenvale Kangaroos have cruised into a second straight Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division grand final with a comfortable win against Keilor.
After claiming the minor premiership the week before, the Kangaroos were looking to maintain the momentum in their knockout semi-final against Keilor.
The Kangaroos started well and were 55 without loss before the loss of four quick wickets had the side at 4-89.
With the Kangaroos innings about to go one of two ways, skipper Jon Kent and wicketkeeper Sameen Kandanearachchi knuckled in to rescue the innings.
They put on 128 for the fifth wicket partnership, putting the innings back on track.
Kent, who was returning from a hand injury, said it was about being patient and sharing the workload around.
“It wasn’t looking great at 4-80,” he said. “Myself and Sameen spent some time out there. The pitch was flat and hard and we had to work our way into the innings.
“It’d been six or seven weeks since I’d played. It was good to spend some time in the middle. I’d been practising in the nets for about three weeks.”
The score pushed past 300, with the Kangaroos batting for two overs at the start of day two before declaring 7-328.
Kent, who top scored with 70, said Keilor came out aggressively but it didn’t last long, allowing the Kangaroos to rest some of their key bowlers.
“Our bowling was on the mark and once they lost four to five wickets, it was almost like they were trying to bat out the day and the rest of the day ran its course,” he said.
“We were able to sort of pull back with [Peter] Manser and [Tallan] Wright, knowing we had the game under control and were going into a four day grand final
“It’s going to be a tough four days, so it was a good thing to put them in cotton wool.”
Keilor was bowled out for 230. Chathura Darshana was the best of the Kangaroo bowlers with four wickets.
The Kangaroos will face perennial grand finalist Yarraville Club in the four-day decider.
The Clubbers won through to the grand final with a 67-run win against Spotswood.
The Kangaroos have the upper hand this season between the two clubs, winning both the one-day and two-day clashes.
“We are confident, just like they are,” Kent said.
“It’s over four days and if we play good cricket, we’re a good chance to win.”
