Tara Murray
Epping’s depth has been on show early in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield season.
The club lost a number of players in the off season, but it has presented an opportunity for players from its second XI to step up.
With several other players missing on the weekend due to the long weekend, the Pingers dug deep to beat Research Eltham Collegians.
Pingers’ Daniel Bramich said it was exciting to see what the other guys could do when they get the opportunity.
“It makes it even better due to having seven players unavailable throughout the club,” he said. “I think five played in the senior side the previous week.
“Our twos, the last three to four years have either won a premiership or played off in a grand final.
“Going into this year that these players would need to step up and take their opportunities they might not have had as many in the previous seasons.
“Now they’re getting an opportunity and it’s good to see some of the young fellowers take it.”
On Saturday, it was the skipper that led from the front to guide the side to victory.
After being sent in, the Pingers made 3-276 off their 40 overs.
The opening pair of Tom Emmins (154) and Akash Cheema (93) put on 246 for the first wicket partnership.
“Tommy did an excellent job with the bat and his batting partner, Akash has started the season off brilliantly,” Bramich said.
“Tom really led the way yesterday [Saturday], really set the tone early.
“We knew we had to get off to a good start with our batting line up not as strong as it normally would be Tom and Akash put the emphasis on starting well and kicked on to batting the whole day which was pretty good for us guys on the sidelines, that is for sure.”
Bramich said they felt they needed at least 200 on the board on Research’s ground and were happy with the total they had made.
Research started at 0-61 before the Pingers got their first wicket through Kyle Lamprey in his first senior game.
Bramich said that allowed them to up the pressure and get the game on their terms.
Research was restricted to 7-211.
Liam Henkel took three wickets for the Pingers.
The win was the Pingers second of the season.
Bramich said while this season was a little bit of an unknown for the club with the changes, they were keen to be at the pointy end of the ladder.
“When you lose some quality players in the offseason you don’t know where it will sit,” he said.
“We do have strong confidence in these younger brigade who are coming through from the twos to come up and fill a role and play their part
“We’re still aiming to be in the thick of it come March.”
