The performance by the Lalor Warriors on the opening day on the North Metro Cricket Association’s Jika Shield season is a benchmark of what the players expect of themselves this season.
The Warriors were impressive with both the bat and ball as they recorded a first-up win against Keon Park.
The Warriors’ batsmen clicked on the way to 6-194 before the bowlers did their job by bowling Keon Park out for 125.
Warriors captain Todd Hughes said key to win was playing as a team and not relying on individuals.
“It was a nice start to the year,” he said. “The last few years we’ve relied on the efforts of a few individuals rather than playing as a team. It was a nice big ground and was pretty slow, so the score shows that our batsmen clicked.
“Brad Winther had the ball talking yesterday and got wickets early. Wickets just flowed and everyone who bowled took a wicket.”
Opener Bhatiya Ratnayake top scored with 54, while Angelo Pereria finished 27 not out.
Winther finished with three wickets.
Lakmal Keerthirathna, in his debut for the club, made 26, took two wickets and held three catches in a good all-round performance.
The Warriors have added depth to the squad this season, bringing in two Sri Lankan players, Ratnayake and Lakmal Keerthirathna, while two former players, Ben Gorski and Tristian Harrower, have returned.
Hughes said extra depth to the squad would be put pressure on for players to win spots.
“If you don’t perform there’s a chance you might be dropped,” he said. “It’s good to have a little bit of fear.”
The key aim for the Warriors this season is to play at the same level for the whole season.
Last season, they started well before fading and losing in the first week of the finals.
“We want to keep doing what we did yesterday and set it is a benchmark,” Hughes said.
In other good news for the Warriors, they’ve announced that premier cricketer Simon Hill will again be the club’s marquee player in the T20 competition.
Hill was part of the side that won the North Region T20 competition last season.
Hughes said having someone like Hill on the field helps everyone out.
“The boys look up to him and little things he says helps out,” he said.
In other Jika Shield results, three-time reigning premier Rivergum started the season with a loss to Northcote United.
Rivergum struggled with the bat, making 7-130 off its overs.
In reply United reach the target with one wicket in hand, finishing on 9-131.
