Pressure builds ahead of National Championships

A key component of the Victorian Bushrangers Pathway program, the trial match was the first since the conclusion of the Vic Country v Vic Metro series that was played in September in Cobram Barooga.

Cricket Victoria high performance manager Tim McCaskill said that the bowlers dominated the match.

“Batsmen from each team were watchful and allowed the bowlers to settle into their overs without applying the desired pressure requested by coaching staff at the start of the day,” McCaskill said.

“Matt Short (35) was the only batter to score over 30 with a range of players getting a start but failing to capitalise.

“The best performed bowler on the day was left-arm orthodox spinners Luke Ford, who finished with 4-31.”

The next trial game is scheduled for October 28 with selectors looking to add players from Sunday’s game to the nine players rested on the weekend.

Further trial matches will follow in early November before the state Under-17 side is selected for the National Championships, which will commence in Hobart on December 10.

The two participating teams were as follows:

TEAM 1                               

Jacob Serry                        
Isaac Willet                        
Justin Galeotti                    
Taylor Tatterson                 
Hamish Withers                 
Zac Merrett                        
Luke Ford                          
Tanner Stanton                  
Julian Beard                      
Liam Barrett                       
Tim Fidler                          

TEAM 2

Matt Short
Jack O’Toole
Jake Smart
Dale Kerr
Hayden Castle
Shehan Kudage-Don
Nishal Perera
Ned Taylor
Shea Gribben
Joe Blake
Josh Bartlett