VSDCA 2018-19: Box Hill in dominant position against Preston

Box Hill continued to show why it is one of the form teams of the VSDCA after a dominant day with the bat against Preston.

Somil Bandi cuts the ball against Preston. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Somil Bandi started the season in Box Hill’s Fourth XI.

But it hasn’t taken the stylish right-hander long to work his way up through the grades and to make a name for himself in the VSDCA this season.

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Bandi topscored with 81 on Saturday in Box Hill’s imposing total of 9-320 against Preston at Box Hill City Oval, putting the Mustangs on track for their fifth victory on the bounce and with a chance to cement their place inside the North/East group top six.

The No.3 hit 112 in the Fourth XI in Round 1 and followed that up with 99 in the thirds the following week, hitting another half-century in the Second XI before getting a call up to the ones.

Brodie Eccles goes on the attack. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Bandi arrived from Mercantile Cricket Association club South Yarra in the winter and has since established himself as a key player in Box Hill’s quest to make consecutive finals appearances.

“We didn’t know much about him and I’ve got to say, the training nights he was training I wasn’t there and it was more of a circumstantial thing,” Box Hill captain Michael Vozzo said as to why Bandi started in the lower grades.

“It didn’t take too long before we knew he was pretty handy. We didn’t even know until about three or four weeks ago he’s actually played state under-16s in India so he’s a lot better than our initial thoughts.

“He’s just a beautiful player both sides of the wicket and doesn’t matter if it’s spin or quicks, he’s just an all-rounder excellent talent.”

Bandi put on 99 for the second wicket with opener Brodie Eccles, who was dismissed for 49 after again setting up the Mustangs’ innings.

Bandi continued to bat Box Hill into a dominant position in a 51-run stand with Luke Davidson before he was bowled by Preston quick Fionn Hand.

Liam Ingram bends his back. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Davidson departed two runs shy of a half-century, skittled by Bullants paceman Chaminda Vidanapathirana with the score on 4-199, before No. 7 Hayden Rayner crunched 68 not out after tea to take Box Hill beyond 300.

The Mustangs started the season 1-4 but are arguably the form team of the competition.

“More than half the team were playing seconds last year, even young Luke Davidson this time last year was playing Fourth XI cricket,” Vozzo said.

“These guys are only 18, 19, a couple in their early 20s and it is just about belief and if they think that they can, which we know they can, belief goes a long way.”