Tara Murray
Footscray United has continued the momentum into this Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2 season.
After winning the division 3 title last season, the Bulldogs have won all three of their matches this season in the higher division.
Captain-coach Shafraz Mohamed said he wasn’t surprised at all to see the side start the way they have.
“The boys have continued the streak from last season,” he said. “Especially with the addition of Darren Ganga, it helps everyone else take their games to the next level.
“We were confident in our team. We had a team last year that was capable in the division above.
“The longer we played together the better we played with each other and strengthened our team.”
Mohamed said the addition of Ganga, a former West Indies international star, had been massive on and off the field.
While his experience has been invaluable on field, former West Indies team mate Shivnarine Chanderpaul had come to watch the side.
“The way he approached the game, he bats five balls ahead which is what they do in test cricket,” he said.
“It’s good to pick his brain the way he approached the game and he mentors me as a game. Chanderpaul has been and watched. It pumps the boys up and they want to play their a-game.”
Mohamed said the key for the side so far had been that while there had been no standard out performances, that everyone was playing the role needed off them.
He said they had a simple game plan and it seemed to work.
“Our top order has not found form yet,” he said. “We have three or four heavy hitting batsmen which we want to bat for 20 to 30 balls, for four to five overs and everyone bats around them and gets a total.
“With our bowling attack we’re confident. We bowl a lot of spin and we have all the different varieties we need in our bowling attack.
“We bowl to a plan and think we can defend any score.”
On Saturday, the Bulldogs accounted for the Altona Roosters.
Footscray United were bowled out for 174 in the final over. Chathura Milan top scored with 61.
The Roosters were bowled out for 109, with Lahiru Kumara taking three wickets.
The Bulldogs are the only undefeated team after three rounds.
Mohamed is confident that they can keep going.
“If we can avoid injuries and everyone stays fit, we’re confident we can go all the way.”
In other results, West Newport lost to St Andrews Pascoe Vale, while Newport-Digman was too strong for Kingsville and Williamstown CYMS lost to Royal Park-Brunswick.
