VTCA 2018-19: Haig Fawkner puts onus on batsmen to lead push for Division 1 North finals berth
HAIG Fawkner has put the onus on its batsmen to rediscover their best form as the club chases another tilt at VTCA glory.
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HAIG Fawkner has put the onus on its batsmen to rediscover their best form as the club chases another tilt at VTCA glory.
Haig was one of the hardluck stories of last summer’s VTCA finals, denied a premiership by the higher-ranked Sunshine United after amassing 8-413 in the decider.
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The Division 1 North club finds itself six points outside the top four after edging to a six-run victory over Royal Park/Brunswick.
Captain Amit Chaudhary said Haig Fawkner’s batting group would ultimately decide whether the club earned a top-four finish.
Only one of the club’s top-six batsmen has passed 50 to Round 9, with Sajid Ali (54 not out) and Vimesh Wickramasinghe (54 not out) producing Haig’s top scores of the season from no. 11 and no.9.
“The talent is there, but the batsmen haven’t put the scores (on the board) the bowlers can defend,” Chaudhary said.
“All the games we have won are because of the bowlers.”
The club’s bowlers were the heroes in Saturday’s victory as Royal Park/Brunswick lost 7-25 to be skittled for 137 chasing Haig Fawkner’s 9-143.
Chaudhary was the chief destroyer with 4-23, while Shakeel Ahmad claimed 3-19.
“We just haven’t had the results we were anticipating when we recruited the team,” he said. “It’s very good on paper but obviously we haven’t clicked.”
The skipper praised the form of opening bowler Muhammad Naeem, who has enjoyed a consistent campaign with 13 wickets to Round 9.
“The bowling hasn’t been too much of a worry. The problems have been our batsmen haven’t scored runs,” Chaudhary said.
“We pretty much have kept the whole team from last year, with (an extra) bowler or two.”
Haig has crucial fixtures against PEGS, St Francis de Sales and Westmeadows to come before facing Keilor Park and Craigieburn.
“We’ll have to play well, but we will back ourselves,” Chaudhary said.
“There’s not much difference in terms of where the ladder is and that could be said for all other teams too.
“The nature of the ladder, it’s very close.”
St Francis de Sales (5-194) defeated PEGS (152), Keilor Park (8-149) accounted for Craigieburn (7-145) and Westmeadows (8-123) routed West Coburg (69) in other Round 9 results.
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