The turnaround in fortunes for Greenvale Kangaroos is complete, with the Roos through to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division grand final.
Only South Caulfield stands in the way of Greenvale and the top division premiership, just a year on from the threat of relegation.
The Kangaroos showed their improvement with both bat and ball at the weekend, easily accounting for Doutta Stars.
Winning the toss, the Kangaroos chose to bat, and they came out ready for action.
For Kangaroos’ captain Jonathan Kent, it was exactly the start the side needed.
“Tarek [Moughanie] started aggressively, and we’ve moved CJ [Chinthaka Jayasinghe] up the order the last couple of games in order to help us get off to good starts,” Kent said. “Tallan [Wright] and I batted well in the middle order, with Tallan getting himself a 50. It was good that we could bat all the way down.”
The Kangaroos posted a more than respectable 269, Moughanie leading the way with 72 and Wright with 51.
Kent said that despite the Stars’ strong batting line-up, the Kangaroos were confident of defending the total.
“The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on.
“We knew it was a good score to have put on the board.”
The Kangaroos’ fast bowlers then did the job, restricting the Stars to 175.
“We had to bowl tightly, put them in the right areas,” Kent said.
“Peter [Manser] bowled really well, taking seven wickets. I only had to use three bowlers. Jacob Thompson kept it tight and Peter and Tallan attacked at the other end.
“Peter is a former North Melbourne player, and Jacob and Tallan are Greenvale juniors. ”
After securing first innings points, the Kangaroos were shocked to be sent back in to bat.
They made 3-103 in their second innings before the Stars conceded.
Moughanie was again on fire with the bat, making 47.
The Kangaroos now face South Caulfield in the final over the next two weekends.
South Caulfield made the grand final by defeating two-time reigning premiers Yarraville Club.
“They’re a very strong team, losing only one game for the season,” Kent said.
“We played really well against them and weren’t at full strength.
“We are an improved side. We won’t be overawed by it at all,” he said.
“Most of us have played in grand finals and a lot of the team was in the senior grand final four years ago.
“We fell short that time … we’re hoping for a win this time.”
