ECA 2020-21: Mont Albert defeats North Balwyn in Dunstan Shield

ECA Dunstan Shield flag contender Mont Albert made light work of reigning premier North Balwyn as its bowlers fired.

Mont Albert celebrates a run out against North Balwyn on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Mont Albert plugged the holes and evened the ledger on Saturday.

After leaking 443 runs in back-to-back defeats against East Doncaster and Old Carey, the Eastern Cricket Association Dunstan Shield outfit rediscovered its perfect one-day recipe.

On the back of a supreme bowling performance, Mont Albert scored a crushing eight-wicket win over reigning premier North Balwyn to improve its win-loss record to 2-2.

Captain Jack Joslin said his team executed the plan to perfection, limiting the “four balls” and applying relentless pressure.

The bowlers also pitched the ball up on a grassy wicket, forcing the visitors’ batsmen to take risks.

The result? The Bulls crumbled to be rolled for 97 in 37 overs, with only three batsmen managing double figures.

Mont Albert star Nathan McNally. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Up until the weekend, we’d leaked the most amount of runs in the comp,” Joslin explained.

“We had a bit a chat as a group on Tuesday, got everyone on the same page with our KPIs and thought if we could restrict a lot more from the start and through the middle (overs), it was going to hold us in good stead.

“We were able to do that (on Saturday) while taking regular wickets.

“You’d like to do it each week, it doesn’t always happen, but we got lucky with a couple of short balls that North Balwyn blokes hit straight to fielders, a couple of run outs.

“Once we got on a roll, they sort of capitulated a little bit.”

North Balwyn’s Kaushick Maheshwaran gets on the front foot. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Roy Taylor rebounded from a slow start to the season, returning 3-15 from seven overs.

Spinner Nathan McNally (2-16), star recruit Sam Taylor (1-9), Brett Watkins (1-15) and Charlie Thorn (1-30) also inflicted damage.

Shahen Patel played a key role despite going wicketless, finishing with 0-10 from eight overs with three maidens.

“It was good for him to get some overs under his belt,” Joslin said of Roy Taylor.

“When he pitches the ball up, he often does a little bit off the wicket.”

Mont Albert raced to 2-99 from 16.4 overs to secure victory in a canter, with No.3 Joslin hitting 50 from 56 deliveries and opener McNally finishing unbeaten on 33 at a run a ball.

Mont Albert’s Sam Taylor in action in the field. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Promoted Old Carey is the competition’s only undefeated team after four rounds, while East Doncaster and Canterbury both have 3-1 record.

Mont Albert, North Balwyn and Marcellin Old Collegians all have two victories, while Heathmont and Surrey Hills are winless.

Mont has lost semi-final games in the past two summers.

“It probably levels the playing field, being one-dayers,” Joslin said.

“All it takes is one guy to get on a roll with the ball or get away from you with the stick for 5-10 overs, and you can lose a game pretty quickly.

“East Donny are probably still the benchmark with the personnel they’ve got.

“Old Carey have obviously hit their straps early on and have been competitive but are yet to play East Doncaster or Canterbury.

“If you can win enough games to make finals, all you need to do is execute in two games to win the flag, and that’s what we’re trying to aim for at the moment after a couple of disappointing semi-final losses.”