Premier Cricket 2024-25: Fitzroy Doncaster’s ‘monumental’ bowling keeps top eight alive

Fitzroy Doncaster’s short-lived innings with the bat spelt trouble on Saturday – before an almighty comeback with the ball kept it in touch with the top eight. And a debutant impressed ...

Ejaaz Alavi took four wickets on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Fitzroy Doncaster looked in strife.

But a “monumental” bowling effort has kept it in touch with the top eight.

The Lions fell for 139 against Melbourne on Saturday before skittling the visitors for 93 to bank a crucial 46-run victory.

Leading the charge with the ball was none other than captain Ejaaz Alavi, who fired with 4-18 off seven overs following the early dominance of UK import and debutant Ed Barnard (3-14) and state-listed Sam Elliott (2-21).

The win lifted the Lions to a fifth win for ninth spot to sit just two points behind Prahran with four rounds remaining.

“It was a crucial game for us – we were three points behind Melbourne going in, to be bowled out for 139 was going to take a pretty monumental effort with the ball, and it was a great performance by all the bowlers and the fielding unit as well,” Alavi said.

“Sam Elliott and Ed (Barnard) bowled outstandingly well to put us in a strong position. They took 4-30 I think in the first 15 overs or so.”

True to form, the skipper downplayed his heroics – which included the scalps of Christian Howe (16 runs), Charles Lill (20), Tom Wrigglesworth (1) and David Moody for a duck.

“It was good to have an impact and chip in – I came on a lot later than I usually do, in the 25th over, because all the quicks really set the game up,” Alavi said.

“Ethan Boyd and Gurnaz Khatra played important roles as well – Ethan got the really important wicket of Campbell Kellaway.

“The game was really well set up then I was lucky enough to come in as the benefactor.”

Ed Barnard also fired with the bat, opening with 37 runs off 51 balls before impressing with the ball.

Meanwhile, Liam Banthorpe topscored with 43.

“He’s (Barnard) had a great county year last season with Warwickshire and we’re really excited to have him on board – he started with a bang,” Alavi said.

“It was a pretty tough wicket to bat on, but he got us off to a flyer, then he was crucial with the ball picking up Blake Thomson and Farzan Chowna first ball as well.”

St Kilda (third), Kingston Hawthorn (12th), Camberwell Magpies (seventh) and Northcote (13th) round out the Lions’ home-and-away campaign.

“We feel red-ball cricket’s our strength, and it’s all red ball games left,” Alavi said.

“The ladder’s so tight – it gives us an opportunity with four games left to try and push into the finals.”