By Tara Murray
Melton’s batting woes continued on Saturday in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west season.
Inconsistent is the best way to describe the Lions’ batting this season and they put together another sub par score, this time against Moorabbin.
Playing at home, the Lions were bowled out for 132, facing just over half their overs.
The Lions were at one stage 5-45 and never recovered.
Nathan Taylor top-scored with 45, while Prabath Priyankara made 29 coming in at nine.
Only two other players reached double figures.
Lions’ coach Nathan Geisler said the most frustrating thing was that it was a match they were expected to win.
“There was some disappointing shots and we didn’t apply ourselves,” he said.
“It’s the inconsistency with the batting that we’ve been speaking about.
“Making 132 against a side you’re expected to beat, you expect to bat a little bit better.”
Photo Gallery: Melton vs Moorabbin
Geisler said batting woes had plagued them all season and they plan to make some changes.
This match is the third time they have failed to score at least 140 and they are yet to win two matches in a row.
The Lions sit eighth on the ladder.
“A few blokes in the twos have been making runs and we will look to give them a shot,” Geisler said. “They’ve had three good weeks and we’ve got the depth in the twos which we didn’t have last year. Guys are putting their hands up.
“We might also tinker with the order.”
With the game already in its control, Moorabbin batted smartly and got to 2-81 at stumps.
Ash Sweet and Jake Charge have the wickets for the Lions.
Geisler said they could have had another two wickets, with two catches going down late.
He says they are not out of the game.
“If we had have taken those catches it would have been 4-80, which would have given us more of a chance,” he said.
“We did though get 8-40 towards the back end of the game against Ormond so we’re still in with a chance if the bowlers do what they’ve done in the majority of games.
“They’ve done it in the past, hopefully they can do it again.”
The Lions’ second XI had a much better day, making 6-298 against Moorabbin.
Pawan Wickramasinghe made 95 and three players made half centuries. The innings included a third wicket partnership of 160 between Wickramasinghe and Ricky Frew.
In other first XI games, Taylors Lakes, the Lions next opponent, is on the verge of a second straight win.
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