Westmeadows has a fight on its hands if it’s to secure a first-innings points against St Andrews in Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-west A1.
The Warriors need just 14 runs on day two to grab first-innings points, but they have just two wickets in hand after the bowlers had a day out on day one.
The Warriors bowlers did a good job for a second straight week, this time bowling St Andrews out for 125.
The Warriors themselves then had struggles with the bat and were 8-112 at stumps.
Warriors captain-coach Tarek Moughanie said he was confident they could get the job done.
“We did really well with the ball but we couldn’t get a couple of partnerships going with the bat,” he said.
“Two of the younger boys are in – Aaron [Evans] is a handy batsman and they can hopefully guide us.
“Regardless of who gets first innings points, I think it could be a two-innings result. We will have to fight hard to secure the win.”
Moughanie said getting early wins was important, as the players were taking a bit of time to gel together after a raft of changes to the team.
Moughanie has joined the club along with his former Greenvale Kangaroos teammate, Chinthaka Jayasinghe.
Three of the club’s younger players have stepped back up to the top side after playing in the second XI last season after all three returned to the club from Premier Cricket.
The three – Aaron Evans, Cameron Clayton and Ryan Blair – all played in the senior side a couple of years ago.
Former captain-coach Chanaka Welegedara, Tarique Jeffrey and Praneeth Jayasundera have all left.
Moughanie believes there will be a lot of improvement in the side.
“We’ve had three players go out and five players come, so we have a bit more depth,” he said.
“I think we have one of the strongest more balanced sides the club has had the last few years.
“Our bowling has been really good. Our batting has a lot of upside. Our top eight could bat anywhere – that’s one of the challenges we have. We are still establishing our best batting line up.”
The Warriors women’s side made its debut in the VTCA senior women’s competition at the weekend.
The Warriors played two matches on Sunday, against Sydenham-Hillside and St Francis de Sales, but fell short in both.
