DVCA 2019-20: Epping’s John Lever grabs 6-25 in win over Rosanna
After a frustrating start to the season, Epping paceman John Lever dismantled Rosanna on Saturday as the home side extended its unbeaten run in the top flight of the DVCA.
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Epping paceman John Lever rediscovered his best form in a “brilliant” bowling display on Saturday.
After going wicketless in the opening two rounds of the DVCA Barclay Shield season, Lever returned 6-25 from eight immaculate overs in his team’s one-day victory over Rosanna at home.
The visitors were bowled out for 124 in 35.1 overs as they lost 6-31 and went down by 38 runs.
“He’d been a bit frustrated the first couple of games because obviously he can bat and bowl and do it all,” Epping captain Andrew Bennett said of Lever.
“He just hadn’t been able to get to his usual standards in his own mind.
“On Saturday, he was just absolutely fantastic.”
Lever’s trademark line and length was on display as he removed four of Rosanna’s top-seven batsman.
Marcus Murphy (2-18), Billy McKeown (1-17) and Todd Hughes (1-38) were the other wicket-takers.
“Every single ball he (Lever) bowls, you’re in the game. It can hit the stumps or you have to play it,” Bennett said. “The ball was just skidding through a little bit.”
Earlier, the Pingers put up 6-162 after they were sent in to bat.
After slipping to 2-23, wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Emmins (63) and Josh Henkel (28) combined for a crucial 50-run stand.
Emmins was the fifth man out with the score at 131, his innings including half-a-dozen boundaries and a six.
“He’s been in really nice touch,” Bennett said.
“Him and Josh Henkel got together and put on 50 and just batted really, really well with a lot of singles and they’re a left-right combination.”
Epping, which was eliminated in the first week of finals last season, sits second on the ladder with two wins and a draw, with wet weather wreaking havoc in the early stages of the campaign.
Bennett said the additions of John Kulikowski, Nathan Gardiner and Henkel from Lower Plenty had made the Pingers a significantly better side.
“Aside from the on-field, they’re fantastic guys off-field as well and they’ve really bought in to what we’re trying to build around the club,” he said.
“It’s given us a pool of 14 or 15 guys who can move into the team at any time and play a role.
“We’ve got a group of guys who just want to play for each other and win regardless of who the man is on any given day.”