By Tara Murray
Melton’s bowlers continue to get rewarded in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west competition.
The key for the Lions all season, the bowlers have again got the side in a winning position, this time against Bayswater.
Melton bowled Bayswater out for just 116 on Saturday.
Lions director of coaching Anthony Gale said the bowling group was really making it hard for opposition batsmen.
“It was a very good day for the club,” Gale said. “In fairness to Bayswater it was a really slow outfield.
That is a 150 score on most grounds. “All the boys chipped in with Dilshan [Kanchana] taking three wickets.
“It’s a good score for us to chase.”
While it’s been their strength all season, Gale said the younger players had really stepped up in the absence of skipper Brad Jones.
Jones is missing the third game of his three game suspension. “
We’re without Jones, who is our strike bowler,” Gale said.
“He has been the backbone of our attack for the last 11 years. I think it will be good for him to know that he doesn’t have to be the main man all the time.
“We’re sharing the workload and developing some young kids.They’ve all had their moments in the sun.
“Adrian Monitto took a 5-for before Christmas and Dylan [Jobson] is 17 in his first year in the senior team.”
The Lions had to face 12 overs at the end of the day and got through unscathed and will resume at 0-10.
The Lions’ second XI also had a good day out, making 357.
Nathan D’Antonio, who has come back from the firsts, scored 103.
Gale said D’Antonio, who is battling an injury, showed that he belonged in the top side, but had to work his way back into the team.
Gale also had a good day, making 99.
“One more would have been nice, but it’s the way it goes,” he said.
