By Tara Murray
Greenvale Kangaroos continue to improve each week in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, despite the wins not flowing.
The Kangaroos were always bound to have a tough season after losing eight of their top 11 players from last season. The Kangaroos made the decision to drop down a grade and are playing in Peter Howarth Shield Division 1 west this season.
Captain Jon Kent said this season was all about giving some younger players an opportunity.
“For us, what we want to do is play as many kids as possible,” he said.
“Obviously we are a district [premier] club, but we want to still provide for the local kids.
“The direction of running local teams is that some want to still play turf cricket, but not district cricket.”
Kent said it has been a tough season, but there had been a lot of positives in the progress of players coming through.
Photo Gallery: Greenvale Kangaroos vs Druids
He said they were getting better each week.
“We’re better than we were at the start of the season,” he said.
“Liam James has played the last couple of games and is bowling well.
“Josh Whatman opened the batting last season and has started well again.
“The young kids who have played a few games in the senior division [last year] are starting to find their feet.
“Lachlan Ellis has played the whole season and Jack Wood is just 17 and has played the last couple of games.”
The Kangaroos came up short on the weekend against Deer Park and Druids in a double header.
On Saturday, both Deer Park and Greenvale entered the match without a win.
Kent said the two sides have taken very different approaches this season, the Kangaroos with a youth policy and Deer Park with experience.
“We let them get too many after we didn’t start well with the bat,” he said.
“We started slowly and couldn’t get back from there.
“It wasn’t the best batting performance.”
Deer Park made 169 before bowling the Kangaroos out for 91.
It was similar on Sunday with the Druids making 3-151 in reply to the Kangaroos 147.
Kent top scored with 71.
Kent said the aim for the side was to continue improving each week and hopefully get a few wins on the board.
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