Tara Murray
A bold decision to bowl in 35 degree heat proved to be a masterstroke for Footscray Angliss in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans-Clark Shield.
The call and the rest of the day one play would provide a crucial result for Angliss as play was washed out across the VTCA on day two on Saturday.
There were just three matches from the top six men’s divisions where results were achieved, with Footscray Angliss one of the three winning teams.
On day one, St Andrew’s Footscray was bowled out for 98, with Angliss finishing day one at 4-139.
Angliss president Michael Cox said those points would come in handy.
“It was a bit of a bold decision to bowl first in the heat,” he said. “Our captain thought it was the best option to try bowl them out early and then chase down the runs quickly and it was a good plan in the end.
“Everyone else wasn’t so sure it was the right call.”
Cox said that their bowlers had done a good job to bowl them out for under 100 with Darren Wotu and Ashane De Silva taking four wickets each.
Skipper Daniel Janka was unbeaten on 40 after day one.
Cox said they would have loved to have been able to get out there on day two and go for an outright win.
He said they were in the positions for back-to-back outright wins two matches in a row for the first time.
The win moves Angliss up to second on the ladder. Cox said it was important to stay close with ladder leaders Melton South.
Angliss faces Sunshine YCW this weekend in a two-dayer. The Cougars sit third.
Cox said it’s important to get wins against sides like that before the Christmas break.
In other matches to get results, Haig Fawkner beat the Druids in the Isaacs Howarth Shield.
The Druids had been bowled out for 69.
Subhan Ramzan top scored with 41 as just one other player scored double figures.
Haig Fawkner was 5-193 at stumps on day one.
Samuel Kosmak was unbeaten on 60 and Fazal Nawab on 55 not out.
In the Russell Pollock Shield, Williamstown Congs lost to Pascoe Vale Central.
The Congs were bowled out for 88, with Pascoe Vale Central 3-128 in reply.
In the Victorian Sub-District and North West Metropolitan cricket associations, matches were also half way through.
In the Subbies south-west competition, there were no results.
Victorian Premier Cricket had scheduled three rounds of T20 matches with each team to play two games.
It was report to grounds of the first match, before they were all abandoned and the rest of the games called off as well.
