VTCA 2018-19: Middle-order key to St Francis de Sales’ prospects
ST FRANCIS de Sales has identified a spate of middle-order collapses as the issue it must rectify to mount a VTCA finals tilt.
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ST FRANCIS de Sales has identified a spate of middle-order collapses as the issue it must rectify to mount a VTCA finals tilt.
The Saints have been promoted to Division 1 North this season after losing last summer’s North-West A1 grand final to Westmeadows.
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While the Oak Park club finished second on the ladder behind the Warriors, skipper Matt Costello conceded they lost wickets in quick succession too often.
“The batting side of things is what probably let us down come the finals last year,” Costello said.
“We have had a really big focus on that during the pre-season, just building partnerships. If we can stop having middle-order collapses that’d be nice.”
The Saints experienced collapses of 6-20, 7-46, 8-25 and 4-2 last season, a fate they are intent on avoiding in 2018-19.
“We always pride ourselves on being really competitive,” Costello said.
“Obviously we have gone up a grade, which is always tougher.
“But we are not just there to make up the numbers. We want to make finals.
“Our aim at the moment is to be in the top four at Christmas because if you are not, it’s always tough to play catch up from there.”
Experienced top-order batsman Aaron Maynard looms as a key figure, while swing bowler Tim Dawe (Macedon) has bolstered the club’s bowling stocks.
Costello said the Saints were mindful of the number of one-day fixtures to be played this season and had devised plans to maximise their chances of success.
He said off-spinner Blake McKinnon would be called on more regularly, while Maynard and leg-spinner Michael Pell would be given opportunities to impress with the ball.
“We are probably going to use more spin on the bowling side of things,” he said.
“We have got a couple of left-handers we can call on with the bat.
“That always changes things up a little bit.”
St Francis de Sales suffered an opening-round loss to PEGS and will be chasing its first win of the campaign when it faces Haig Fawkner on Saturday.
McKinnon snared 3-29 in the Round 1 defeat, justifying the faith Costello has shown in the developing tweaker.
The skipper said Glen Widdicombe would add further strength to the club’s bowling attack when he returns from injury and highlighted the development of wicketkeeper Brendan Ward.
“He’s been playing in our seconds and thirds the last couple of years but he’s ready to go now,” Costello said.
“He’s a really good gloveman and we’ve pushed him up the batting order.”
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