Keilor’s Kristian Dixon could manage just six runs as his side crashed to be all out for 65 in its return to the VTCA’s Premier Division on Saturday. 78384_12 Picture: EMILY LANE
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
KEILOR coach Nigel Freebairn believes a first-up win is still possible in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association this Saturday.
The Blues started their 2012/13 campaign in a fashion they would probably rather forget after making just 65 runs in their first innings dig against Hoppers Crossing on Saturday.
A whopping 17 wickets fell on the day after the Blues were sent in to bat on a wicket offering plenty for the bowlers.
Keilor’s top three batsmen managed just 15 runs between them before skipper Danny Law came in and produced 18.
Shaun Guerra was the Blues’ next best bat with 10 as the rest of the order crumbled for single figures within 43 overs.
The collapse gave Hoppers Crossing plenty of time in the middle to make the most of its run chase, and in 37 overs they managed to end the first day’s play on 7/111.
Freebairn says batting lapses are to be expected early in the season.
“As is often the case at the start of the season, batsmen are often rusty,” Freebairn said.
“Hoppers fielded out of their skins and took a couple of really good catches, and we certainly didn’t bat as well as we could have.
“Some poor shot selections cost us a few wickets towards the end, but we certainly never dropped our heads.”
Freebairn then added he was buoyed by the response of his bowlers in the second half of the day.
“I didn’t think it was a great day, but I thought we did redeem ourselves a bit with some good bowling, so I think we’re still in with a shot,” he said.
“We’re certainly not going to rule out an outright result because that’s what we’re aiming for.
“We need to get those three quick wickets, get a generous lead and then bowl them out again.
“I think we’ve got the fire power bowling-wise to be able to do that, and we’ll just be relying on three quick wickets this Saturday to keep us in the hunt.”
Shafraz Mohamed is the pick of Keilor’s so far, picking up an impressive 4/17 from his nine overs, four of which were maidens.
