Binners spinners turn it on in rousing win over Bayswater

And captain Roshie Livera led from the front with a crucial half-century in the run-chase victory.

Calvyn Walker played a fine hand for Moorabbin.

No team could have started the season as badly as Moorabbin.

Remember Round 1 in the VSDCA?

Malvern routed the Binners for 39 in 15.2 overs – and 23 of the runs came from that unsung contributor Extras.

It was a disaster for the Moorabbin team and its new captain Roshie Livera.

But the Binners, finalists last season only to lose more than half of their XI ahead of 2020-21, stuck together and have picked up two wins since, both over teams above them on the ladder.

They knocked over Mt Waverley in Round 5.

And on Saturday they put in a tremendous run chase to defeat Bayswater at Bayswater Oval.

Needing to top 9-175, the visitors answered with 6-178, winning with five balls to spare.

Livera escorted them across the line with a hand of 63 not out, off 69 balls and with 4 fours and 1 six.

He and his vice-captain, Calvyn “CJ’’ Walker, took the score from 4-47 to 5-134, with wicketkeeper Walker hitting 45 off 67 deliveries. His seven boundaries kept the score ticking.

Luke Ashen chipped in with 18 in the late overs as Moorabbin pulled off a fine victory.

Earlier, its trio of spinners put the brakes of Baysy when they were threatening to rumble past 200.

Caleb Candappa, 15, bowled eight overs of leg-spin on the hop and gave up only 19 runs, no surprise given the way he had performed for Inner South East in the VMCU Under 16 Jim Beitzel Shield six days earlier.

Left-arm spinner Dilan Peiris, making his debut for the club, claimed 3-29 off eight overs, and offie Renaldi Dias took 1-29 off seven.

Moorabbin’s Clayron Landers.

Experienced seamer Clayron Landers captured 3-42 off eight overs.

“It was a good win, a really good win,’’ a chuffed Livera said.

“At one stage I thought we’d be chasing something over 200. But Dilan and Candappa stopped them. Amazing. He’ll go places, Candappa. I’d love a bit more time with him at Moorabbin before he goes off and plays Premier Cricket. He’s so talented.’’

Livera praised the batting of Walker, saying he played a steadying and sensible knock.

Livera said the team had stuck together after the Round 1 drubbing and had made steady progress.

“To be honest, I was thinking too much about it,’’ he said.

“I know I’ve got a young squad to work with. I said, ‘Let’s put it under the rug and get on to the next game’. And that’s what we did. I’m happy for the boys and I’m happy for the club. We had three wins out of four on the weekend.’’

Although the Binners won’t make the First XI finals, they’ll be out to shape them.

And they’re determined to go a long way in the VSDCA Twenty20 series. Bolstered by the appearance of English batsman Ian Cockbain and armed with the long-hitting Ashen, they’re through to the last eight teams and will host Noble Park in Round 3 next Tuesday.

Club president Al Marion paid tribute to Livera, saying he was doing an excellent job in his first season as skipper, on and off the field.

“He’s been outstanding with his enthusiasm and his ideas,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Ormond claimed the big scalp it was after when it pinned a first defeat on high-flying Malvern.

The Monders made only 130 at The Gunn, but they bowled their boots off to dismiss the Roosters for 112 in 37.5 overs.

Former Test spinner Michael Beer was threatening to play a matchwinning innings for Malvern, but on 30 he tried a reverse paddle and was LBW to James Wild, who nabbed 2-6 off two overs.

Champion left-arm paceman Rodney Bird captured the last two wickets to finish with 3-8 off 6.5 overs, giving him 17 wickets at 8.2 this season.

Blade Baxter counted five maidens in his return of 1-7 off eight overs.

“He bowled the house down,’’ Wild said.

Brendan Barry (2-37) scalped openers Luke Walker (0) and Dan Fielding (9) in his burst with the new ball.

The Monders are now fifth on the ladder, and the Roosters gave up first place to Oakleigh.