Preston was at its miserly best with the ball to end Kew’s undefeated start

A blistering start with the bat and tight-fisted bowling ensured Preston secured a drought-breaking win and ended Kew’s undefeated start to the VSDCA season.

Preston comprehensively put an end to Kew’s undefeated start to the VSDCA season on Saturday.

The Bullants’ 46-run win at Victoria Park is their first over Kew since 2018-19 and sees them join the Blues with a 4-1 record at the top of the Subbies North-West ladder.

The last time Preston tasted victory at Victoria Park was February 2019, thanks to a Swapnil Challa masterclass of 42 and 5-33.

On Saturday it was a more rounded team performance.

After being sent in, the Bullants posted a strong 6-255 before restricting the previously high-scoring Blues to 6-209 from their 45 overs.

Vaib Deshpande in action for Haig Fawkner. Picture: Hamish Blair

“To beat the top team was a tremendous team effort and one we needed to gain some respect,” coach Ben Ryan said.

“We think we’re a top team this season with a chance to go close to achieving what we want to achieve.”

Shakeel Ahmad (44 from 23 balls) and Vaib Deshpande (76) got Preston off to a blistering start with a 57-run second-wicket partnership.

Deshpande then combined with Greg Maratos (39) for a 81-run third-wicket stand, before Mahesh Kodamullage (32 not out off 35 balls) added some critical late runs.

“We were surprised we were sent in and we got off to a tremendous start, nearly 60 from six overs, thanks mainly to Shakeel,” Ryan said.

“Vaib batted superbly through the middle overs, Greg Maratos was great and then Mahesh got some handy runs when it looked like we’d stuttered a little bit.

“We didn’t quite maximise the last 10 overs, we wanted 20 or 30 more, but Mahesh got some handy runs and we carried that momentum into the field.”

Michael Letson was the home team’s best bowler with 2-52.

Amaya Gharat during his time at St Bernard’s. Picture: Stuart Milligan

In reply, Kew couldn’t find any rhythm and consistently lost wickets to quickly fall behind the required run-rate.

Opener Jack Stewart scored his maiden Subbies senior century, finishing unbeaten on 100, but lacked a long-term partner.

After a hat-trick and half-century last weekend, Sam Pearce was Kew’s next best bat with 35 from 27 balls before falling to Walsh.

All but one of Preston’s bowlers picked up a wicket as they strangled the Blues.

“We were only going at two an over for the first 15 overs I think,” Ryan said.

“They were a long way behind the game, congratulations to the young guys making a hundred but he probably didn’t score quick enough and didn’t have anyone play a meaningful innings at the other end.”

Leading in to the round, spinner Ameya Gharat was the leading wicket-taker in all of the VSDCA with 16 scalps in four matches.

“Ameya has dominated our wicket-taking, he opened the bowling again and bowled four overs for five runs,” Ryan said.

“He’s been amazing, he’s exceeded our expectations to be honest, even though we knew he would be a quality bowler and I can’t wait to see what he does in the two-day games now.”

Preston’s Second XI also picked up a big win, scoring 8-282 before rolling through Kew for 160 at Preston City Oval.

Young gun Ryley Bamford smashed 83 from 58 balls, including eight boundaries and three sixes, while Luke Bramich scored 80 and Aryan Arora took 4-35 to push their senior selection claims.

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Ryan said the club’s form had it in good shape heading into a run of two-day matches.

“We’ll bring in a lot of confidence and I think we showed with that performance we’ve got good depth,” he said.

“We’re not relying on a couple of guys with the bat and a couple of guys with the ball and I believe we’re one of the best fielding units – certainly the best fielding unit of the teams we’ve played.

“We’ve got a good test this week against Spotswood, a good team from last year and going well again this year.”