Bowlers maintain good line

By Justin Robertson
IF Casey-South Melbourne does end up winning its final round match against Ringwood this weekend, which would earn them a spot in the finals, it can thank the entire bowling unit for tight, unrelenting spells.
Premier Victorian quick Damien Wright went wicketless but bowled 21 stingy overs for a mere 37 runs. Jayde Herrick (2/54) bowled 17 miserly overs and Nathan Freitag (2/38) threw down 15 overs.
Even the all rounders kept it simple and dried up the runs. Peter Trego (0/31 from 16 overs), Clive Rose (1/33 from 17 overs) and Ashley Perera (1/25 from 14 overs) all piled on the pressure with line and length bowling on a flat, lifeless deck. It was pack bowling at its best. At the close of play Ringwood remained on 7/225 from 100 overs, a figure that pleased Swans coach Mark Ridgway.
“If they declared right now and 225 was our target we’d be very happy to chase that on that pitch,” he said. “But the innings hasn’t come to an end yet and I expect them to bat for another hour or so – maybe more – but whatever score they produce I’m confident we’ll get them.”
During their previous match against Essendon, Ridgway and his committee launched an appeal to the Pennant Committee of Cricket Victoria concerning their loss , citing “a lost opportunity to play two days of cricket” . It was decided by the committee that the match points will remain with Essendon, meaning the Swans must win this weekend to play finals next week.
A win – providing Dandenong wins their match against Camberwell – will put the Swans in a quarter final against the Panthers. A loss will see them spiral down the ladder to tenth position. But come Saturday, rest assured the Swans will bring their confidence to the batting arena in the hunt for a finals berth.
Wright will be rested for Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia at the MCG, and will now be available to bat this weekend against Ringwood.
“We’ll be as aggressive as they allow us to be. If you don’t bowl the right lengths, Casey will hurt you,” Ridgway said. There’s no real plan in place as yet, but we’ll go through that Thursday night at the team meeting. Whatever they make we’ll go after runs and chase them down as quick as we can.”