By Tyler Lewis
“We got sent in against Ringwood, sent in against Kingston, potentially that is a tactic that opposition are trying to use, but it’s not working at the moment… we are happy to be sent in,” Will Carr.
Keep doing it.
That’s the message from Casey-South Melbourne coach Will Carr, as he is more than happy with his side being sent in at the toss.
The Swans have been sent in on back-to-back weeks, as many believe the Swans greatest strength – its top order prowess – could be its greatest weakness.
But in both weeks, the Swans opening pair – Luke Manders and Ashley Chandrasinghe – have fallen short of their best partnership, yet the Swans have still found competitive totals through its depth with the bat.
On Saturday it was number three and skipper Michael Wallace that stood up for the Swans, crunching 73 from 75 as his side posted 8/247.
The Hawks then got off to a steady start, before – for the second straight week – Ruwantha Kellepotha (5/25 off 10) put on a show with the ball.
The leggie snared the first five wickets in a blink of an eye, at one stage having 5/7 from 4.2 overs, and bowling his side to a 38-run win.
While the Swans were sent in again, Carr is immensely confident in his side’s batting depth.
“We got sent in, again, it was a good wicket but there was a bit of moisture in it,” he said.
“They bowled well, they challenged us and we fought hard.
“When there was potential to be vulnerable, although we lost two quick wickets at 60, we didn’t lose them in clumps of wickets.
“We had good even contributions from players again and Michael Wallace led the charge.
“Despite the fact there was some moisture in the wicket, we still would’ve batted, because we believe we have a batting order that bats deep and can post a competitive total and then a bowling unit that can defend it.”
Kellepotha is having an astronomical season, the controlled leg-spinner has sent 23 batters packing in Vic Premier Cricket this season at an enchanting average of 16.65 and is going at just 3.36 runs per over.
As he has dominated cricket in the south east region for some time now, Carr revealed what it is that makes him so problematic to face.
“What makes him so difficult is that he actually spins it both ways and he lands them,” he said.
“A lot of leg-spinners will have a wrong-un that spins, but won’t turn the leg-spinner, or vice versa, or can’t land the wrong-un consistently.
“His consistency in landing the ball in dangerous areas and turning the ball both ways is why he is so difficult to play,” Carr said.
The Swans will host Northcote this weekend and a win could see them launch into top-four calculations.
