Sport
Numurkah bowler Connor McLeod rips through Pine Lodge to keep the Blues unbeaten from four in Haisman Shield
Content but not yet satisfied.
That’s the stance of Numurkah coach Gino Saracino after his side strung together its fourth consecutive win of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield on Saturday, blitzing Pine Lodge in stark contrast to the previous week’s performance.
Following on from a monster 1-293 run rampage at home in round three, the Blues trekked to Lemnos Recreation Reserve looking to replicate their supreme batting show.
That’s not what transpired per se.
Instead, Saracino’s charges settled for 146 in an innings littered with starts before trouncing the Lodgers with the ball, bowling the hosts out for 71.
Saracino labelled Pine Lodge as “one of the better bowling attacks in the competition”, but said the Blues’ 4-0 record doesn’t mean they’re untouchable with two-day cricket on the horizon.
“One hundred and forty-six left the door open, but then we started really well and, when you’ve got a side 7-35, you’re not going to lose too many times, so the boys bowled pretty well considering,” he said.
“Our blokes, four or five got starts, and to be a really good side and go deep we’re going to have to be a hell of a lot better
“In March we’re going to get wickets that are similar where there’s a bit of grass coverage and the ball’s moving around — and that’s a good challenge for us.
“To get over the line (is) great, but there’s a lot of work to be done if we want to go deep in March.”
Recent centurions James Du Toit (24) and Raguvaran Aravinthan (four) met their demise by Lodgers strike weapon Tiron Fernando, while Dylan Grandell, Bailey Smith and Kody Jackson reached the 20s before walking back to the sheds.
Highly-touted debutant Ben Beaumont had eight runs to his name before being trapped LBW and, all of a sudden, life wasn’t so cosy for the travelling Numurkah contingent.
Cue Connor McLeod.
The Blues’ opening bowler went berserk with the ball, claiming five wickets in six overs to have the Lodgers reeling at 7-31 a quarter way through their innings.
THE GAME
Numurkah 146 (James Du Toit 24, Bailey Smith 23, Tiron Fernando 3-25) d Pine Lodge 71 (Darshana Prasad Lokuhettige 32*, Hayden Cann 12, Connor McLeod 5-23)
STAR PLAYER
Connor McLeod (Numurkah): McLeod played barely any A-grade cricket last season at Kyabram, but Saturday’s five-wicket romp was a reminder to the comp that he has the drive and determination to cut it in the Haisman Shield.
His stifling spell included double and single wickets maidens and, after settling on 5-23 off nine overs, the recruit was rightly given a proverbial pat on the back by his mentor.
“We want to share the load and, when it’s your turn, you’ve got to make hay while the sun shines and I guess he was able to do that,” Saracino said.
“He bowls a heavy ball and he rewarded himself yesterday because he puts the work in.”
Darshana Prasad Lokuhettige was the only Pine Lodge player to provide any kickback, his 32 not out batting at eight serving as a small break in the clouds for the 0-4 side.
With Karramomus up next for Numurkah and two-day cricket to follow, Saracino remained pragmatic in his approach to the next block of games with a stack of tough cricket waiting in the wings.
“We’ve got explosive players in the one-dayers and then we’ve got blokes who can bat time in the two-dayers,” he said.
“We want to be good at both, obviously, but in the short term if we win next week we go 5-0 and hopefully that gives us the chance to play off in a one-day final.”