Ladder leader Waaia has flexed its muscles in the final round of the Haisman Shield after the Bombers struck 325 runs in the first day’s play against Shepparton United.
The Bombers proved why they are the team to beat heading into this year’s finals, as four of their top-six batters hit 50 or more, and two of them finished the day not out.
The star of the day was opening batter Jordan Cleeland, who was cruelly dismissed one run short of a century.
Cleeland hit 99 from 185 balls with an innings that included 10 fours and two sixes.
Waaia finished the day on 4-325 after 80 overs, with Quinton Venter (67 runs from 119 balls), Brayden Carey (81* from 74) and captain Mitch Cleeland (56* off 46) all contributing to the Bombers’ second-highest total for the season.
For United, its captain Sam Nash was a bit of a lone soldier with the ball as he took all four of his side’s wickets.
Wicketkeeper Jake Callow was tidy behind the stumps as he took three catches and only let one bye get past him.
While the wickets were sparse, there were boundaries galore as Waaia struck 36 fours and five sixes across the innings.
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Walk in with the bowler: Shepparton United’s Dan Jones out in the field. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 12
Like beach balls: Waaia batter Jordan Cleeland was in top form on Saturday. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 12
Sun smart: Shepparton United fielder Steven Tate is well protected out in the heat. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 12
Hands like glue traps: Shepparton United wicket-keeper Jake Callow was busy behind the stumps. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 12
Well guided: Waaia batter Sam Trower hits the ball out to deep-backward cover. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 12
Plotting and planning: Waaia batters Jordan Cleeland and Sam Trower talk out in the middle. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 12
Keeper’s end!: Shepparton United fielder Jake Smith throws the ball back in. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 12
Shine the ‘Kooka’ side: Shepparton United fielder Angus Lake tosses the ball back to the bowler. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 12
Hunting a wicket: Shepparton United bowler Abe Lake mid-spell. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 12
Not on his arm!: Shepparton United fielder Hugh Conway stops a single. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 12
Work horse: Shepparton United captain Sam Nash bowled 26 overs on Saturday. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 12
Watch the ball!: Waaia batter Sam Trower defends on the back foot. Photo by Megan FisherWhile bat beat ball on Saturday Waaia captain Mitch Cleeland said the Princess Park pitch wasn’t exactly a flat-track road.
“The scoreboard probably doesn’t reflect how hard we had to work,” Cleeland said.
“The guys up the top laid a platform for us to cash in for the last 15 overs and we were fortunate enough to be able to do that and put a really good score on the board.
“It was probably a good cricket wicket for both. Early on, the guys who bowled well and put the ball in good areas challenged us a fair bit.
“I think we were 30 off about 18 overs, so it took us a while to find our groove.”
With finals and the number one spot on the ladder secured, Waaia players could almost be forgiven for taking their foot off the pedal for this match.
But Cleeland said the whole team was focused on giving everyone the perfect preparation for their tilt at a flag.
“We want to be fine-tuning everything,“ he said.
“To bat 80 overs all the time is a big positive for us.
“Similarly, next week, it will be really important to give everyone a bowl and get everyone into the right frame of mind for a super important finals series.
“If we can make sure we are all in good form, good spirits and everyone is doing their role, then I think we will be in good stead when we need to apply that in the finals series.”