Tara Murray
Footscray United took its premiership celebrations all the way to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to share the win with the late Shane Warne.
Captain-coach Shafraz Mohamed, who wears the number 23 on his jumper just like Warne, told the playing group if they won the third game of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 grand final series against Grand United, they would celebrate with Warne, who recently died of a heart attack.
“I made a promise to the group that we would go and have a beer with the great man if we won,” he said.
“We took the flag to the MCG and celebrated at the Shane Warne statue.”
United won the premiership the hard way, after losing game one of the best-of-three grand final series.
After winning game two, United took plenty of confidence into game three on Saturday.
Batting first United made 9-190 from their overs with Lahiru Kumara finishing 54 not out
Matthew Hayes and Rhys Mutch three wickets each for Grand United.
Mohamed said they were happy with that score on the board.
“I just told the boys to enjoy the game as that is how we play our best cricket,” he said.
“It was a good toss to win so we could get the score on the board… 190 was plenty of runs.
“Young Daniel Melican who is only 17 scored a 49 to almost make it back-to-back 50s.
United changed their bowling attack around in the third game as they were looking to get on top.
Grand United was 1-102 before crumbling to be all out for 169. The last six wickets fell for just 19.
“We had a plan,” said Mohamed. “Their opening bat was on a pair so we knew that he would be conservative.
“We didn’t have our best bowlers at the start and their opening made 30 off about 90 balls which played into our hands.
“We knew we had the best bowling attack in the competition.”
Kumara pick of the bowlers with 4-38.
Melican was named player of the grand final series. Mohamed said it was pleasing to see home grown players like Melican and Frank Hoang be part of the premiership side and play a role.
The premiership is the club’s sixth first XI premiership in 87 years.
The win means the club will get promoted to division 2 for next season, a second successive promotion for the club.
Mohamed said it was all pretty special.
“The promotion is the icing on the cake,” he said.
“I’ve played in two premierships before, but not as captain-coach. The club is in a really good position with new sponsors on board.
“It’s a great club and a great group.
“We’ve got a small lot of volunteers, they have done a massive job, we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Mohamed said they would look to add a few players for next season as they go up a division, but was confident with the group they’ve already got they will be more than competitive.
