By ADEM SARICAOGLU
MELTON’S senior women’s cricket captain and coach Nicole Martin is pleased with what her team has managed to achieve so far this summer.
In their first year in the Victorian Women’s Cricket Association’s Premier Seconds competition, the Lions managed to go into their New Year break fourth on the table.
“We’ve had an up and down season,” Martin said.
“We started really well and we had four wins to start off with and then we had a bit of a slow patch in the middle of the season.
“But look, we’re happy with fourth position for a team that’s only playing in its first year. We’ll take fourth at the Christmas break.”
The team is primarily made up of players that have predominantly played indoor cricket in the past, but Martin says her team has adapted well to the outdoor game and the competition they now compete in.
“The competition’s been a good standard,” Martin said.
“The top four teams have been really competitive and they probably stand out above the rest.
“Most teams have a got a good top order but if you can get the top order out then I think you’re a real show.
“It’s just working out ways to get the top order out against teams like Brighton (District), Coburg and Napoleons/Sebastopol.”
Martin’s aim is to maintain a top four spot and qualify for the finals series in March, but first Melton needs to navigate its way through eight more games after facing each of the three clubs above them on the ladder in the lead up to Christmas.
“We’ve probably lost a couple of games we should have won against teams that are sitting around fifth and sixth, so if we can make finals I’ll be really happy given it is most of the girls’ first season in outdoor cricket,” she said.
“So we’re aiming for a top four finish and come finals time, who knows?”
Former Australian international Stephanie Theodore’s numbers with both bat and ball have been by far Melton’s most impressive this summer, but Martin insists the whole line-up has played well.
“(Theodore’s) done a whole lot for the team, but I think as a whole we’ve had an all-round performance from everyone, which has been really pleasing,” Martin said.
Martin also noted the success of the second’s team, which is made up of younger local talent.
“They’re the future of the club, and with the season they’re having, they’re doing really well,” she said.
