Hampshire top-order batsman Chris Benham finally arrived in Melbourne last week and, despite an By Marc McGowan
THREE straight losses to start the Victorian Premier Cricket season was not what Casey-South Melbourne had in mind.
On the eve of its opening fixture, Swans head coach John Hayes declared that finals were the goal for his young team in the one-day format.
But that seems a long way off, now that all three of the club’s defeats have come in the 50-over mode of the game.
The two most recent beatings came on the weekend when Casey-South Melbourne succumbed to the Melbourne Demons and the Prahran True Blues by seven wickets and 116 runs respectively.
Casey-South Melbourne has also lost captain Michael Hansen for at least this Saturday’s contest against Essendon with a fractured finger on his left hand.
Victorian and Demon quick Mick Lewis struck Hansen repeatedly on the hand with searing deliveries.
Despite English recruit Chris Benham being in the line-up, the Swans’ batsmen never got going against Melbourne and consistently lost wickets as they stumbled to be all out for 146 in 43 overs.
Nick Quinn (3/28) was the Demons’ best with the ball, after the initial onslaught from Lewis (2/15) and fellow Bushrangers speedster Shane Harwood (1/22).
Tim Dale (45 runs), following his team-leading 26 against Ringwood the previous weekend, top-scored for Casey-South Melbourne again ahead of Craig Entwistle (31).
But Melbourne opener Grant Baldwin (53 not out) led an even batting display from his side as it cruised to an easy victory with more than 15 overs to spare.
The Swans travelled from the Albert Cricket Ground back to Casey Fields to take on Prahran on Sunday, but produced much the same result.
The True Blues batted first and an 87-run partnership between captain Matthew Harrison (111) and Neil Schlittler (58) set the foundations for their imposing total of 6/256.
Casey-South Melbourne’s attack toiled hard, but only Matthew Hawking (3/42) could have a significant impact on a quality batting deck.
In response, Rueben Wakefield (50) and Jye Sampson (25) gave the Swans a great start after a gem from Stephen Seymour had removed Benham early.
Entwistle was unable to build on Saturday’s performance due to a horrendous run out for his second duck in three outings.
Wakefield has been a rock for Casey-South Melbourne through the first two weekends and his dismissals have triggered batting collapses on each occasion.
Sunday’s encounter was no different.
After escaping with some close run-out chances, Entwistle risked his wicket once too many and his dismissal left the Swans at a tenuous 5/106.
It was a procession from there as Hansen and Robbie Elston fell on consecutive balls against Simon Jones (3/14), and the bottom order offered little resistance.
Hansen was disappointed with his squad’s weekend output and believes the players need to improve on the basics.
“Obviously, we’re a young team that is giving players an opportunity and they’re learning during games,” he said.
“At the same time, the team needs to take their opportunities and make no mistakes. The key to us improving is by doing the right things at the right times.
“At the end of day, all I can ask for from the team is to continue to try to do the best they possibly can.”
Casey-South Melbourne has an interesting one-day clash with Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday from 11am.
Last season’s captain-coach Roger Sillence, who spent the past three years with the Swans, will be playing for the Bombers after his arrangement with Sutherland in New South Wales fell through.
