Werribee batsman Tim O’Brien will renew acquaintances with former club Melton in a critical one-day game on Saturday that could have a big say in the outcome of his team’s Sub-District cricket season.
The Tigers are on the fringe of the top six on the back of some red hot two-day form. But their limited overs form hasn’t been so pretty this season and they will need to turn it around to reach the finals.
“We pretty much have to win all our games and we’ve got two one-dayers to come,” O’Brien told Star Weekly.
“After Melton, we’ve got Sunshine in a two-dayer and Ormond in a one-dayer in the last game. We may have to win two of the three, or even all three, to get into the finals.”
O’Brien is looking forward to the chance of returning to Melton’s MacPherson Park on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has fond memories of the club where he started out in the juniors and played senior cricket at the age of 12.
He still has many friends at the Lions, including teammates Michael Alexander (coach) and David Kirk (captain).
“I look forward to meeting up with them and renewing a bit of an old rivalry,” O’Brien said.
While McPherson Park will always be remembered as his first home, O’Brien will be reminded of the day the Tigers lost a Sub-District grand final to Melton at the venue.
“It’s never easy down there,” O’Brien said. “They always play the conditions down there pretty well.”
O’Brien’s numbers with the bat have been outstanding on the whole this season, with 368 runs at 52 to be ranked third in the competition.
But he conceded his one-day form had not been at his own desired level.
“Like the team, my one-day form hasn’t been the best,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the next couple of one-day games and rectifying that.”
Werribee lost an opportunity to consolidate a place in the top six after overnight rain forced the cancellation of the second day of the clash with Caulfield at Caulfield Park on Saturday.
The Tigers required just 186 for victory, but were denied a run chase and had to settle for a share of the points.
O’Brien believes the Tigers are a side no team will want to meet should they make the finals.
“If we can get there, we’ll be a big threat to most sides,” he said.
“A couple of years ago, we finished on top and bombed out in the semi-final and the team that finished fifth ended up winning the grand final.
“It’s that tight this year that anyone who makes the top six can beat anyone on their given day, so the number one thing is getting there.
“That’s what we’ll be working on in the next couple of weeks.”
