There were positive signs for the Greenvale Kangaroos in Victorian Premier Cricket, but it wasn’t enough to get the win against Melbourne University.
At times the Kangaroos looked the likely winners, but Melbourne University steadied late to hit the winning runs with 11 balls remaining.
Kangaroos captain-coach Matthew Love said there was good signs early.
“We took it up to them for long periods of time,” he said.
“Melbourne University is a pretty strong outfit throughout the grades.
“We didn’t get the points, but were right in it and learnt a lot from it.”
Early on it looked like the Kangaroos were going to struggle to reach 100, when they were in trouble at 6-55.
They steadied through Sunam Gautam (63) and Humza Ali, who was making his first XI debut, and finished 41 not out off 53 balls.
The Kangaroos made a respectable 9-173 from their overs.
Love said they were happy with where they were at the lunch break.
He was even happier early in Melbourne University’s innings.
“We pulled momentum back and were feeling good going into the tea break,” he said.
“We made 170-odd from being 6-60, which is a good score.
“We opened the bowling with Ali and Kyle Adams and they bowled their 10 overs out.”
Melbourne University was in trouble at 4-51 at the tea break and were well below the required run rate.
But there was little joy after tea for the Kangaroos, as Melbourne University went on to win.
“Like all good sides, they built a good partnership,” Love said.
Ali and Gautam took two wickets each for the Kangaroos. Adams finished with 1-10 off his 10 overs.
Love said they were impressed with how Ali performed.
“He was the best for us,” he said.
“We opened the bowling with him and he took a ripper of a catch.”
The Kangaroos play two one-dayers this weekend, facing Ringwood and Essendon.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos have announced the first of their signings for the Super Slam T20. Replacing the Premier Cricket T20 competition, teams will compete for the chance to play against teams from across the country.
Melbourne Renegades young gun Beau Webster and former Victorian fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom are the Kangaroos first two signings for the competition.
Tara Murray
