Premier Cricket 2018-19: Footscray falls to Monash Tigers

FOOTSCRAY coach Stan Nell is not pushing the panic button after the Premier Cricket contender was outclassed by Monash Tigers in Saturday’s one-day fixture.

Greg Munro in action during the Premier Cricket: Monash Tigers v Footscray match in Glen Waverley, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. Picture: Andy Brownbill

FOOTSCRAY coach Stan Nell is not pushing the panic button after the Premier Cricket contender was outclassed by Monash Tigers in Saturday’s one-day fixture.

The Dogs slipped to 0-2 after the seven-wicket defeat as Monash mowed down a modest target with ease at Central Reserve.

The visitors could only muster 6-200 from 50 overs after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, with skipper Dylan Kight the standout with 71, while Hamish Winter-Irving contributed 42 and Greg Munro 34.

The Tigers raced to 3-204 with 11 overs to spare, with opener Adam Amin (67 from 78 balls) giving his side a flying start before Dan Christian (83 not out from 71) finished the job with aplomb.

“There’s nine two-day games where you get six points and the one-dayers are worth four points,” Nell said.

“If we’re realistic about the end of the season, the two-dayers are the ones that really count and the finals are two-day games.

“We’ve got to keep things in perspective.

“We would have loved to have won these two games, but it is what it is. I’m not looking for the side to be peaking now; I’m looking for us to be hitting some really good form coming into December, January, February.”

Monash had the better of the batting conditions in the afternoon as Footscray’s bowlers failed to punch holes in its line-up.

Dean Russ (1-22), Jack Sheppard (1-34) and Lucas Dredge (1-45) were the wicket-takers.

“Probably not enough runs,” Nell said.

“When you play out at Monash and it’s a Saturday-Sunday round, there’s always a bit of extra water in the wicket on Saturday because they’ve got to keep it going for Sunday as well.”

On a disappointing day, Kight stood tall and hit four boundaries in his 103-ball innings.

“I’ve got every confidence in him as a player and captain,” Nell said.

“It’s only his second year as captain. We’re going to provide him with as much support as possible, but terrific young guy and I’m just absolutely rapt to be working with him.”

Footscray will meet Prahran today in another one-day match.