Rivergum captain-coach Gary Bell set his side a challenge on Saturday, he wanted an outright win against Preston Baseballers.
It was always going to be a tough ask with 30 overs lost on day one of the North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield clash, but the Kookas players took on the challenge – and completed the job.
“I put the challenge out there and they really played selfless cricket,” Bell said.
“I was a little worried about how they would go, but they didn’t care about who got the job done.
“In such a tight season at this stage, to go an outright win is really important.”
The Kookas resumed at 1-64 on day two, having bowled the Baseballers out for 83 on day one.
Bell said there was one simple aim when they went out with the bat, they wanted as many runs as possible in the shortest period of time.
Players had a license to go out and swing the bat.
The Kookas were bowled out for 186 in just 33.4 overs.
With a lead of 103 in the first innings, it was up to the bowlers to try and get things done.
It didn’t start well for the Kookas, especially Kyl Ewart.
“He had 25 runs taken off his first two overs,” Bell said.
“I looked to take him off. It was like he was trying to take a wicket every ball. I spoke to him and said we’re in no rush to get the wickets.
“He took two wickets that over and bowled more patiently and got the rewards.”
The rewards followed for the entire Kookas side, they bowled the Baseballers out for 97 to seal the outright win.
Ewart got seven wickets for the innings and eight for the game. Matt Perri ended the game with eight wickets.
Bell said it was good to see Ewart get the rewards after being the ‘work horse’ for the side for many years without big bags of wickets.
Bell said it would be a game they would remember for a long time.
“I said to them let’s make it a day to remember and get an outright win in tough conditions,” Bell said.
“Everyone wanted to get the full points. We held some really good catches.
“It was second versus third … we want to make sure we finish in the top two.
“It gives us a bit of a buffer with the extra four points.”
The win moves the Kookas back to the top of the ladder.
Lalor Warriors got their first win of the season defeating Northern Socials. The Warriors made 8-254 on the back of 76 from Todd Hughes, before bowling the Socials out for 149.
