Casey-South Melbourne recruit Ash Perera claimed three wickets at Casey Fields on Saturday to finally receive just reward for his bowling efforts. 24187 Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Marc McGowan
CASEY-SOUTH MELBOURNE’s batsmen face a mountainous task to record the club’s first triumph of the season after Essendon went on a batting spree at Casey Fields on Saturday.
The Swans had winning chances in at least three of their opening five one-day matches, but remain the only Victorian Premier Cricket team yet to salute.
Casey-South Melbourne coach Mark Ridgway was hoping the switch to the two-day format would trigger a change in luck, but watched the Bombers take the Swans’ attack apart.
Essendon piled on 8/345 for the day, with journeyman Paul Gloury (105 runs off 167 balls, eight fours and three sixes) smashing his maiden first XI century.
Gloury had already belted two centuries at second XI level this year.
Casey-South Melbourne all-rounder Tim Dale (2/91) picked up two quick scalps to restrict the Bombers to 3/82, but that was as good as it got for the Swans.
Ben Fletcher (58 off 99) and Ben MacRae (41 off 90) paced the early going for Essendon before Gloury took over the reins.
Gloury, who has played only 14 first XI matches over seven seasons, came to the crease at 4/125 and was still there when the umpires called stumps.
Casey-South Melbourne left-armer Ash Perera (3/78) returned the best figures, but captain Craig Entwistle made several interesting bowling choices.
Victorian second XI quick Jayde Herrick and Australian under-19 left-arm orthodox spinner Clive Rose sent down a combined 26 overs – the same number as part-timer Dale bowled himself.
Ridgway was unsure why Entwistle used the two strike bowlers so sparingly, pointing out that he leaves the match-day calls to his skipper.
“Between 11am and 6pm is not my domain. I just prepare the players for the game,” Ridgway said.
“We’ll talk a few tactics tonight (Wednesday) at training and if he’s made a blue we’ll address that – people make mistakes.
“Dale had bowled extremely well, but he’s more of a 12-over-a-game man.”
Ridgway would have settled for a run chase of 300, but feels the game got away from his team in the last hour.
He also believes his bowlers’ standards have slipped since the first few rounds.
“It was not the best bowling going around and thus we’re chasing 345 – that’s if they decide to declare,” Ridgway said.
“Our bowlers haven’t been bowling smart. Their line and length has been terrible and they’ve made it difficult for Craig to set fields to at times.
“But Perera bowled beautifully and beat the bat who knows how many times – he is due for a big bag and took three on the weekend.”
Damien Wright may be back in the Swans’ line-up on Saturday after Victorian selectors named him 12th man for this week’s Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales.
Plays resumes at Casey Fields at 11am on Saturday.
Michael Hansen is playing his 200th game for Casey-South Melbourne.
