Premier Cricket 2018-19: Ringwood captain Ian Holland set to return against Geelong

Ringwood’s last ditch bid to secure a place in Premier Cricket finals has received a boost with the news Ian Holland will return before the end of the summer.

Ian Holland in action against Essendon earlier this season. Picture: Mark Dadswell/AAP

Ringwood kept itself in the finals frame with two games remaining in the home-and-away season after logging consecutive wins for the first time this Premier Cricket season.

And the Rams’ push for an unlikely finals berth is set to be boosted by the return of captain Ian Holland from a punctured lung.

Holland has missed the past three games but will return for the Round 14 two-day clash against Geelong starting on Saturday.

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But the champion all-rounder will return only as a batsman against the Cats.

Ringwood has found a way to win its past two games without its champion all-rounder, backing up the Round 12 victory over St Kilda with a seven-wicket win over Kingston Hawthorn in a Saturday/Sunday clash this week.

The Hawks were dismissed for 203 thanks to a four-wicket haul from Rams’ quick Zak Evans, who finished with 4-28 in 14 overs.

Ringwood cruised to the target for the loss of three wickets before being bowled out for 277, with Jackson Freeman topscoring with 87.

Ringwood coach Gavin Kellar said his side had shared the load in Holland’s absence.

“The pleasing thing is responsibilities are starting to be shared and I think that’s when you start to become a better team when role players start to stand up,” Kellar said.

“We’ve relied really heavily on Dave King and Ian Holland a number of times so it’s great to see some other names stand up and put some performances together.”

Matt Fotia finished with two wickets. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Ringwood has won three of its past four games to put it only five points outside the top eight with two games remaining before finals.

“We had some really close losses earlier in the season but if we convert two of those losses into wins then we’re probably sitting in third or fourth,” Kellar said.

“That’s how close the year is … you convert your chances in those games and it’s a completely different season.

“There’s not much in the season going, ‘you guys are flying’ or ‘you guys have got some work to do’. I think our boys have performed well all season, it’s just we’ve made a few crucial mistakes at the wrong time.”

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