By Tara Murray
Melton Centrals will have to bowl well if it’s to take victory against Grand United in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Division 4 Charles Clark Shield.
Returning to the field after an interrupted month of cricket, Centrals were looking forward to getting stuck into time at the crease.
Electing to bat, Centrals were bowled out for 205 in the 60th over.
Captain Adam Hulett said the score was below par.
“It’s short of where we want to be,” he said.
“We were 0-80 odd and then we collapsed. We had a lot of starts, but no one went on with it.
“It’s good to get starts, but you need at least one or two players to go on with it.
“We needed another 70 to 80 runs. We would have liked a few extra runs on the board.”
Waduwidanalage Rangika top scored for Centrals with a half century, while Ross Caldera was given the opportunity at the top of the order and made 40-odd.
Hulett said that the lack of training and match practice the past month was no excuse for not batting to their potential.
Grand United faced 18 overs before stumps and will resume at 2-59.
PHOTO GALLERY: Melton Centrals vs Grand United
Hulett said they took the chances they had in that period.
Fifteen-year-old Keiron Harrington, in his senior debut, took the first wicket for Centrals.
“He looks like a really good cricketer, with hopefully a long future with the club.”
He said getting games into the likes of Harrington and another youngster Callum Gregorio was something they were focused on.
Hulett said they would back their bowlers in this week.
“We have some good bowlers and we’re not out of the game, by any stretch,” he said.
Hulett said it was hard for them to get a feeling where they sit in the division 4 competition, having completed just one game.
It’s Centrals first season in division 4 after winning the division 5 premiership last season.
“The only game we have finished is against Grand United,” he said.
“If we get a result this week, it means our only two completed matches are against one side.
“It is what it is. Hopefully from here on in that we start to play cricket and start playing well.”
In other matches, Caroline Springs had a solid day out against St Andrews. St Andrews made 194 with Caroline Springs 0-4 at stumps.
In division 5, Melton South Royals are on track for victory against Sanctuary Lakes.
Having bowled Sanctuary Lakes out for 104, the Royals are 3-73 in reply.
In division 3, Sydenham-Hillside is on top against East Keilor. East Keilor was bowled out for 134, with Sydenham-Hillside 1-80 in reply.
