By Tara Murray
Building on consistency is a key focus for the Greenvale Kangaroos in the back part of the Victorian Premier Cricket season.
The Kangaroos have shown signs of improvement this season, but still have a long way to go before they are in the finals mix.
Kangaroos captain Michael Stretton said the message for the group had stayed the same.
“We just want to keep getting better,” he said. “We want some more solid performances with the bat and make some higher scores.
“We’ve still got some work to do before we become a top six or eight side. The potential is there, it’s getting consistency across the board.”
Stretton said conversations with other teams had given them indications that they had improved this season, which was a step in the right direction. He said batting was the area where they had to stepped up the most.
“Some of us are getting starts and not going on with it, yours truly included,” he said.
“We need to give the bowlers a better chance. The batters need to set games up.
“It’s been hard to build totals.”
The Kangaroos have given a few players opportunities in the back half of the season.
Aiden Zammit has come in and made runs at the top of the order and Jack Potticary has been handed the wicket keeping gloves.
Jessie Dinnie, who has played interstate and in England, has come in the last couple of rounds, while James Usher has returned to the side for the one-dayers.
Jacob Pawlowicz made his first XI debut on Saturday.
Stretton said they had lacked some depth in the other sides, especially with the batting.
He said the team message was when you get the opportunities, make the most of them.
On Saturday, the Kangaroos lost to Prahran.
The Kangaroos made 147 and they were bowled out with three overs remaining.
Zammit finished 82 not out after coming in at the top of the order.
Huzma Ali was the only other player to get going, making 52. Prahran had little trouble making the runs, reaching the total in the 45th over.
They made 5-179. Sean McNicholl was the only multiple wicket-taker for the Kangaroos, taking two wickets
. The Kangaroos currently sit 17th and are 23 points outside the top eight.
Despite having set out to play finals, Stretton said they still had a lot to be positive about this season.
He said they had taken steps forward in their development
. “We’ve beaten some good teams and had a couple of good wins in the T20 competition as well.
“The talent and skill is there when we put it together and we’ve put some good performances together.
“It takes time to develop, hopefully it comes sooner than later
