Bacchus Marsh is hoping for consistency with the bat and ball in the lead-up to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup Premier Firsts finals.
Sitting on top with just one loss for the season, the Bulls are on track to repeat their premiership win of last season.
But Bulls coach James Lidgett knows it’s not something they can take for granted.
“We have to be really careful and the key is not getting complacent,” he said.
“We want to keep on playing the brand of cricket that has worked so well for us this year.”
Lidgett was happy after the Bulls’ performance on day one of their match against Sunbury United. The Bulls are in complete control, bowling United out for 159.
But Lidgett said that while the scoreboard showed a good performance with the ball, United had challenged them.
“We were pretty happy … to have them challenge us and we were able to hit back well,” he said.
“One of the aims, the last three weeks heading into finals, is to find some consistency with the bat and ball.”
Star Bulls bowler Madushanka Ekanayaka took 4-31 to take his season tally to 38. Daniel Lalor was the other standout, taking 4-27.
Lidgett said Lalor had become a bowler they could turn to with the ball.
“Dan’s been a good find with the ball this season,” he said. “He worked really hard on it through the off season.
“He could nearly be considered an all-rounder and he’s only 15.”
Photo Gallery: Sunbury United vs Bacchus Marsh
The Bulls started well with the bat and will resume at 0-30. Peter Lalor will resume at 21 not out and Alex Porter was seven.
As it did with the bat, Lidgett said United showed some resistance early on.
“There was a bit of fire from Sunbury United and that’s credit to them,” he said. “We batted through a tough period and were able to take the wind out of their sails.”
In other matches, Diggers Rest Bulla needs 194 against Gisborne.
Needing a win to keep the pressure on the top four, the Burras had a slow start before starting to get frequent wickets.
Captain-coach Rasika Batepola and Kevin Barker took three wickets each for the Burras.
Daniel Trevillian top-scored for the Dragons with 41 not out.
Sunbury needs nine runs to gain first-innings points against Wallan.
Wallan made 9-120 with only 10 players batting, before the Roar scrambled to 8-111 at stumps. Jason McGann was the star for the Roar, taking 5-49.
Romsey had a day out with the bat against Woodend, making 328. Skipper Ben Way top-scored with 113 and Chris Burkett made 72.
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