BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
A MAIDEN century to young gun Dylan Kight was the highlight of the first day of play between Footscray Edgewater and Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday.
Kight notched up his first century in District cricket with a superb knock of 116, as the Bulldogs went on to score 319. Essendon finished the day’s play at 0/34.
Footscray Edgewater coach Barry Neivandt said despite his team’s more-than-competitive score, the pitch was far from a batsmen’s paradise, which would explain Essendon’s decision to send Footscray Edgewater in to bat – seemingly a strange decision on a 30 degree day.
“I haven’t seen the ball seam around like that for a long time,” Neivandt said.
“Travis Gloury and Dean Russ went through a horrid period early with the seaming ball, and to their credit they pulled out really well in the hope that the pitch would dry out a bit, which it did and Dylan (Kight) came in and worked very diligently.
“He played soft hands early, was calculated, and played very straight. It was a magnificent knock.”
While openers Gloury (8) and Russ (28) only modestly contributed to the team’s total, their partnership was crucial.
Staying in for a combined two hours and 41 minutes and facing almost 20 overs between them, they hung around long enough to take some of the sting out of the wicket.
Tallan Wright, in his debut first XI game for Footscray Edgewater and against his old club, showed poise to make 36, while Ashley Barton chipped in with 31.
“Our balance was much better this week with our batting and bowling,” Neivandt said.“It was a terrific team performance with an outstanding hundred in the middle of it all. That’s what was the pleasing part for me, that there were a lot of contributors in getting that tally in different ways.”
Essendon’s openers Adam Carton (11 not out) and Ben MacRae (22 not out) survived the last nine overs of play and will be hoping for a dry week.
Footscray Edgewater’s bowlers on the other hand will be hoping the Windy Hill wicket causes plenty of movement off the seam.
“We’ve got to be very measured. We’ll bowl our disciplined line and length hopefully, and if not hopefully the guys get off and have a rest and think about it.
“We’re going to have to be on our mettle because Essendon will be giving it their best shot.”
