Brunswick reaches VSDCA Craig Shield grand final, defeating Croydon

Brunswick is through to its first VSDCA Craig Shield final since 2015-16 and eyeing a maiden title with a century opening stand proving the catalyst.

Brunswick openers Aarav Saxena and Hamish Pearce. Picture: Ben Higgins

Brunswick is eyeing off a maiden VSDCA Craig Shield title on Sunday.

The Wicks marched into their first grand final since 2015-16 with a 39-run victory over Croydon at AG Gillon Oval on Thursday.

They’ll face reigning champion Ormond at Preston City Oval hoping to cap a remarkable run with a fairytale finish.

Brunswick has been hit hard by COVID and injury through the summer but still managed to reach the decider.

Coach Luke Money said the team had wildly exceeded his expectations.

Brunswick openers Aarav Saxena and Hamish Pearce. Picture: Ben Higgins

“It’s probably not what we expected, we were the underdog going into a couple of games,” Money said.

“We’ve had a few kids get COVID, a couple of kids go on holiday, we picked 14 boys and we haven’t had the full 14 available in any one game.”

A century opening stand between Aarav Saxena and Hamish Pearce was the catalyst in Thursday’s semi-final, the pair combining for a 116-run partnership that put the Wicks in the box seat from the start.

Pearce has three half-centuries in his last four games after being moved up to opener, hitting 58 off 72 balls, while Saxena has back-to-back 60s after top-scoring with 62.

Money said the pair were given a licence to attack.

“We hadn’t done a lot of setting, we batted first in a couple of games early and didn’t get off to good starts, but then we chased in a game and batted really, really well.

“The guys went out with a bit of freedom and got the runs and we did it really well in the qualifying final as well.

“I just told the boys today to do what you’ve been doing when chasing, play with some freedom, and if they give you one in your zone have a go.

“Hamish didn’t have a lot of form early in the tournament but we had a chance to chase a low total and we had three boys missing, isolating, so I said ‘it’s on you today, mate, go out and have some fun and he’s made three (50s) in a row now.

“Aarav, we originally picked as a bowler, and when we lost both captains and vice-captain to COVID, we threw it around a bit and he’s a really good stroke player.

“At the top of the order, if you can get off to a quick start, it can really put the other team on the back foot.”

William Richter pitched in with 16 runs in the middle order as Brunswick posted 6-183.

Croydon, facing a big chase, couldn’t stem the loss of wickets.

Austin Fardell (34) and Dylan Walker (35) were top-scorers but when Walker was run out at 8-124 it was game over.

VSDCA: MONDERS SURGE INTO CRAIG SHIELD FINAL

LEADER: GET YOUR SUBBIES CRICKET NEWS HERE

NMCA: HARVEY: I WAS JUST SWINGING TO BE HONEST

Pearce backed up his heroics with the bat, taking 2-25, joint best with Sajith Fanham, while Zane Attard picked up 2-26.

“They had to go hard … it’s really hard to accelerate out there, so they went hard and produced chances and we were lucky enough to hang onto a few,” Money said.

Brunswick face Ormond after the Monders eased past Coburg for the second season in a row.

Jesse Van Rooyen and Cooper Rojko are among the top five batters in the Craig Shield finals series, while Jeremy Murray and Alex Turner are top three in wickets.