Lance Jenkinson
Yarraville Club holds the ace in the pack to edge St Albans in what is turning out to be a Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division grand final classic at Hansen Reserve.
The Clubbers have a deep and experienced batting line up, but top order batsman Will Sheridan undoubtedly holds the key to victory.
Set a target of 260 for a first innings result, the Clubbers are 4-165 and need a further 95 runs, but make no mistake, the pressure will come from the St Albans bowlers.
Sheridan, the set batsman on 80 not out, will be crucial on day three.
If he can re-load and fire with the bat, the Clubbers should easily pass the parget.
However, if Sheridan removed cheaply, it would provide a massive boost for St Albans, who were already lifted by two late wickets on day two.
Yarraville Club coach Huss Hanif is backing Sheridan in.
“He’s a class player,” Hanif said.
“He knows how to bat these situations.”
Sheridan combined with James Damjanovski (57) for a 114-run second wicket partnership that might be looked back upon as the match-winning stand if Yarraville Club wins.
Sheridan is currently at the crease with Connor Poulton.
Earlier in the day, Yarraville Club owned a big period in the match when it restricted St Albans to 259.
The Saints started the day on 6-217 and added a further 42 runs, which Hanif believes was a small win to the Clubbers bowlers.
“We put a plan in place to try and get them out within the first 15 overs and we actually did that, which was amazing.
“At 6-217, they could end up over 300 and bat the day out, so it was a real testament to the bowlers.
“[Trent] Lawford, [Ashley] Sweet, Sheridan and [Emmett ]Bronca, they’ve played a role all year, they bowled 67 overs and took eight wickets, including 22 maidens between them.
“Those four bowlers just set the tone for the day.”
Hanif has been around long enough to know grand finals can change quickly and the climax of this game will be no different.
“It’s sort of like a rollercoaster, but I think the boys have handled themselves really well over the first two days,” he said.
“The first 15 overs is going to be really crucial in terms of setting up the game.”
In division 1 west, Spotswood posted 177 on the back 51 from Cory Jacobs against Aberfeldie, who is struggling in its run chase on 6-135 at Clifton Park.
In other divisions, Newport-Digman, Williamstown Imperials and St Andrews Footscray all trail their grand finals on first innings, but all have the potential to turn it around on days three and four.
