FOOTSCRAY Edgewater coach Barry Neivandt got his message across loud and clear. A lacklustre batting performance first start after the holiday break would not be accepted.
The players paid the price at training in the lead-up to Saturday’s trip to premiership contenders Ringwood.
“I was certainly quite strong with my feelings,” he told the Weekly. “Last week, the conditions were very challenging, but I don’t think we applied ourselves as hard as we could’ve.”
What a difference a week makes in cricket.
The Bulldogs turned the corner in the best possible fashion with a massive 3-366 from 90 overs on the opening day of the two-day battle.
“It was a refreshing change from last week,” Neivandt said. The Bulldogs openers, captain Dean Russ and key off-season signing Wes Robinson, tore the Rams’ bowling attack to shreds.
They amassed a club-record opening stand of 259. And to think they almost chose to bat.
“We sort of to’d and fro’d, do we bat or bowl before it, and that’s quite hilarious really,” Neivandt said. “It was a real different wicket and that’s why we took so long to decide.”
It was tough going at the start of the day.
In one period, Russ made two runs in 11 overs.
Once he settled in, there was no stopping the inspirational leader en route to 108. It was his third century of the summer.
“He played and missed at bit early and got hit a couple of times on the body and on the hand,” Neivandt said.
“The ball was doing a bit because it was a grassy wicket, but hard. Then Russy got into a groove and took over.”
Robinson was steady for the first half of his innings before exploding with 14 fours and two sixes. The West Australian notched his first ton for the Bulldogs and went on to make 161.
“When Russy was fatiguing on 105 or so, Wes just went smack, hit 30 or 40 runs and left Russy in his wake,” Neivandt said. “It was quite fascinating.”
The Bulldogs’ middle order offered some bite.
Arun Harinath, brought in from English county club Surrey, carved out 53 not out, while Ben Green added an unbeaten 34.
The Bulldogs will be raging hot favourites when play resumes on Saturday, despite a bowling attacked hampered by injury.
“Quietly [confident], but not overly,” Neivandt said. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do because our bowling hasn’t set the world on fire this year.
“With injuries to (Andrew) McCammond and (Brad) Robertson, it’s put a lot of pressure on the bowling group. There’s an opportunity for others to stand up as well.”
Premier Cricket
Firsts: Ringwood v Footscray Edgewater 3-366 (WM Robinson 161 D Russ 108 A Harinath 53no B Green 34no)
Seconds: Footscray Edgewater v Ringwood 7-115 (M Hill 2-11 AW McCammond 2-32)
Thirds: Ringwood 1-92dec v Footscray Edgewater 65 and 3-80 (P Herrick 37)
Fourths: Footscray Edgewater 73 v Ringwood
