By Lance Jenkinson
It has been a tough summer to date for Altona, but it has a chance to do something special in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west first XI this Saturday.
With a strong batting performance, the A’s can produce arguably the upset of the season against ladder leader Caulfield at Grant Reserve.
The A’s require 189 for victory – a target that makes them favourites heading into day two.
A’s captain Adam Yates appreciates the significance of the opportunity.
“To get a scalp like Caulfield would be massive for us,” he said.
“We’ve got two debutants and for them to be in a winning side in the first game that they’ve played would be fantastic.
“Obviously, we’ve still got a fair bit of cricket to be played … but we’ll be pumped to get into it, give it everything we’ve got and hopefully chase them down.”
Altona’s bowlers were not daunted by the star-studded Caulfield batting line-up. At no point did the A’s allow the visitors to settle as they took consistent wickets from start to finish.
“We were really impressive and happy to keep them to 188,” Yates said. “To do that in 75 overs was a credit to the bowlers.”
Jeremy Swan steamed in with purpose for Altona. The speedster had the Caulfield batsmen on the back foot with his fiery bowling en route to 6-41 off 16 overs.
“He’s a really attacking bowler,” Yates said. “He actually got three of his wickets with his short balls. He bowled a really good first spell, hit the stumps and beat the bat a fair few times.
“He’s bowled really well all season … he hasn’t really got a big haul, but this week the hard work he’s put in came to fruition.”
Shannon Clarke built the pressure for Altona from the other end. He was tireless, bowling 17 overs straight in his first spell. He finished with 2-45 off 23 overs, including the huge scalps of Graeme Rummans and Jacob Thorne.
“They’re the two premier players going around,” Yates said.
The only headache for Altona was a raft of dropped catches late in the day.
“They were mostly after tea time when the boys were starting to get a little bit tired. It cost us 40 or 50 runs.”
Elsewhere, Williamstown posted 238 in its top six bout with Melton, led by captain Brent McMinn, who scored 96.
Yarraville has the upper hand against Taylors Lakes, requiring 192 for victory.
MORE VSDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/lions-ready-to-pounce/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/melton-bats-need-to-fire/
