Newcomer Strathmore is loving life in the Subbies North-East group
Subbies newcomer Strathmore sits undefeated on top of the North-East ladder, a start to the season that has wildly exceeded expectations.
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You would have got long odds for Strathmore to sit undefeated on top of the Subbies North-East group ladder after five rounds.
The Mores’ first season in the VSDCA has been nothing short of extraordinary having shifted from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
The club is 5-0 with wins over heavyweights Plenty Valley, Box Hill and Brunswick and faces premiership contender Croydon in the last match before the Christmas break.
Coach Omar Phillips always believed his team was capable but concedes the start has exceeded his expectations.
“We’ve been worked really hard and playing as a strong unit,” he said.
“I always felt we would be competitive but not have this dream start.
“We’d played some of the teams before in pre-season games and knew we could be competitive.
“The boys are training at a different level now, so what’s happening is not a big surprise.”
Strathmore has done its damage with the bat.
The Mores are ranked third in total runs with three players in the competition’s top 20 run-scorers – Chris Williams (6th, 194 runs), Phillips (8th, 189) and Luke Bassi (20th, 148).
It’s a different story with the ball, ranked seventh in total wickets and equal 13th in runs conceded.
Muhammad Khan and skipper John Bassi are the leading wicket-takers with six scalps, ranked equal 32nd in the North-East group.
Strathmore missed Khan on Saturday as Bayswater posted 7-200 at Syd McGain Oval – led by Rob Sacristani’s 80.
The Sharks looked headed for a massive total before some tight bowling from Sam Duggan (2-33), John Bassi (2-41) and Lucas Kennedy (1-26) restricted the visitors.
Chasing big totals has been Strathmore’s strength this season.
After being 2-6 in the first over, Bayswater’s Ben Livingstone was on a hat-trick, the ship was quick steadied.
Nick Sabatino (70 not out) and Luke Bassi (64 not out) combined in a 137-run fifth-wicket partnership to seal victory with five overs to spare.
“The good thing about this team is we don’t depend on just one or two people. We’ve got a really balanced side,” Phillip said.
“Luke and Saba have been building and this was their best opportunity to show what they can do.
“Although we were losing wickets the run-rate was still good, so the message was just to keep it ticking over, punish the bad balls, run well between the wickets and put them under pressure.
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“I’ll be honest, after their start I thought they were going to score over 250 … but after the drinks break they batted a bit slowly and we changed our strategy as well.
“Young Sammy came on with a bit of pressure on him but this kid has done everything we’ve asked for him, risen to every challenge we’ve put in front of him.”
Croydon has only lost one game this season and sits fourth.
The Mores then return in the new year with a home clash against Tillakaratne Dilshan’s Endeavour Hills in another test of their finals credentials.
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