By Lance Jenkinson
There was a bit of deja vu for Footscray in Premier Cricket on Saturday.
As with 14 days earlier in a two-day game against Dandenong, the Bulldogs blasted in excess of 350 runs against Greenvale Kangaroos at Merv Hughes Oval on Saturday.
This time around, they made 362, cashing in on batsmen-friendly conditions.
In the previous round against Dandenong, Footscray failed to defend its massive total.
So, how much did the Bulldogs learn from that game? Can they rectify it at the expense of Greenvale?
“It’s almost exactly the same scenario,” Footscray captain Dylan Kight said. “We know where we went wrong at Dandenong.
“I would hope, and I’m pretty confident, that we’ve learnt from that.”
Footscray’s top order is a mix of youth and experience.
Kight is buoyed by the two massive scores the Bulldogs have posted in the past two games, which bodes well.
“The bar is set pretty high after the past couple of weeks,” Kight said.
“The experienced players have stood up to sort of take the load and the pressure off the young players.
“In saying that, the younger players at the top of the order have provided us with the perfect backbone.
“It’s been the perfect team effort between the top six batters that we’ll take some confidence into the off season with.”
Pic Marco De Luca
Photo Gallery: Footscray vs Greenvale Kangaroos
Ashley Armstrong and Matthew Underwood provided rock solid foundations for Footscray as they have grown accustomed to do so this season.
Armstrong made 53 to finish his first XI season with 353 runs at an average of 46.1, while Underwood carved out 28, close to the average on the season of 398 runs at 26.5.
Travis Dean’s inclusion was valuable for Footscray as the state player made 76.
Dean Russ rounded out his season with 77 at just under a run a ball to finish the summer on 802 runs at 53.5.
Russ is one of just four batsmen in Premier Cricket to eclipse 800 runs this season.
“He’s probably been the only batsman who has been consistent and we’ve been able to rely on,” Kight said.
When Russ went out, Footscray was still under 300, but Kight (38) and Hamish Winter-Irving (40) ensured their side would win the day.
The game and the Bulldogs first XI season will conclude on Saturday.
MORE PREMIER CRICKET NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/mixed-emotions-plenty-valley/
