Greenvale Kangaroos couldn’t continue their winning streak, but again showed good signs in Victorian Premier Cricket.
Coming off two straight wins for the first time in a number of years, the Kangaroos were hoping to make it a rare three in a row against the Monash Tigers.
The Kangaroos were well in the mix but a late partnership on day two got the Tigers across the line.
Greenvale captain Michael Stretton said they were very unlucky not to the win.
“The way we fought was really good,” he said.
“We’ve been very competitive the last few weeks. I thought we played well, but they took their chances.”
The Kangaroos entered day two defending 195.
They bowled well early and were able to have the Tigers in trouble at 6-113.
However, the Tigers produced a much-needed partnership to secure the win, finishing 7-196.
Stretton said there were a couple of half chances late, but they couldn’t to get the much-needed breakthrough.
“We were confident that we could get the wickets, but we didn’t quite have the foot on the throat,” he said.
Stretton said Trent Waring bowled really well, while Huzma Ali took three wickets.
While Stretton is new at the club this season, he knows that there has been a change in attitude and confidence in the group.
He said Mitchell Edwards had made a big impact in a short period of time, while having Sri Lankan test player Kaushal Silva was just the icing on the cake.
The Kangaroos have been a lot more competitive in recent weeks and are hoping they can put a few more wins on the board.
Stretton said if they could get on a run, finals might be something they could push for.
The Kangaroos currently sit 16th on the ladder, but are only 11 points outside the top eight.
They face Footscray in a two-day match in their final match before the Christmas break.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos suffered a loss in the Vic Super Slam T20 competition on Wednesday night against Fitzroy Doncaster Lions.
The Lions, which included Australian star Glenn Maxwell, made 8-124 from their overs.
Former Sri Lankan international Nuwan Kulasekara took 3-21 off his four overs.
The Kangaroos pushed the total all the way, falling two runs short of victory, at 6-123.
It’s the second time in the super slam competition that the Kangaroos have suffered a final over loss.
Stretton top scored with 50 not out off 36 balls, including two fours and three sixes.
The Kangaroos sit sixth in their conference, with the top four teams to play finals.
The Kangaroos next match in that competition is in the new year.
