Down but not defeated

Signs were looking promising with just eight overs remaining when Jack Blain (34) and Jack Taylor (51) needed less than a run-a-ball, before three wickets in 10 deliveries left Victoria needing too many off the final overs.

Coach Jarrad Loughman was able to identify where his side lost the game.

“Four of our last five partnerships were under 10 runs and we really needed those contributions towards the end of the innings,” Loughman said.

“Their leading bowlers were pretty steady and put us under pressure towards the end, which made it difficult to score.

“The pressure builds up when you have to score over a run-a-ball, and we couldn’t do it yesterday.”

Despite the defeat, Loughman found many positives to take from their opening clash.

“We were pretty pleased with our bowling effort, restricting them to 183,” he said.

“It was probably 20-25 more than we would have liked, but I couldn’t fault their effort.”

Having been invited to bowl first, things were looking promising for the Pat Mckenna-led outfit after Ben Ashkenazi (4-37) and Shea Gribben (1-20) rocked the South Australian top order to reduce them to 3-29 after 11 overs.

Loughman commended the bowling effort, despite the South Australians scrambling to 183 after rallying late.

“We bowled really well as a group and managed to take wickets at regular intervals,” Loughman said.

“(Ejaaz) Alavi bowled really well and beat the bat a few times.

“Ben Ashkenazi was also a standout for us with 4-37 – his bowling in the situation was outstanding.”

Sean Griffin snared 3-31, while Matt Fotia claimed 1-36.

The National Championships continue today, with Victoria taking on hosts Tasmania.

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To see a full scorecard from the National Championships, click here.