VSDCA 2018-19: Box Hill scores its fifth consecutive win after 110-run victory over Preston
Box Hill is just one win away from all-but booking a surprise berth in VSDCA finals after Mustangs spinner Muhammad Saeed continued his fine form to inspire a 110-run win over Preston.
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Box Hill is just one win away from all-but booking a surprise berth in VSDCA finals after Mustangs spinner Muhammad Saeed continued his purple patch of form to inspire a 110-run win over Preston on Saturday.
Defending its giant total of 320, Saeed starred with a five-wicket haul to help dismiss the Bullants for 210.
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Preston had made strong in roads to its chase through thanks to Akashdeep Cheema.
The dangerous opener hit 11 boundaries in his knock of 62 before he became Saeed’s first victim.
Cheema had shared an 87-run opening-wicket partnership with Alexander Maratos (31), but the Bullants dealt a huge blow when No.3 Fionn Hand (31) was run out on the stroke of tea.
Saeed ran through the middle-order after the interval on his way to figures of 5-58 from 25 overs, dismissing Luke Bramich (14), Chaminda Vidanapathirana (0) and Liam Ingram (11) as Preston went from 3-169 to 6-197.
Box Hill’s task was made easier as quick bowler Jackson Smith was unable to take his place on day two through injury, leaving the Mustangs with just nine wickets to take.
“They were going well but probably just below the run-rate and had a few bats left in the shed,” Box Hill captain Michael Vozzo said.
“We got 6-65 post-tea off 30 overs so really dried them up and we actually fielded really well.
“We responded a little bit to what we all thought was a pretty lacklustre first 30-odd overs.”
Saeed is one of the form bowlers of the North/East group, taking 9-99 in his past two games.
“He’s been sensational. Since about the Mount Waverley game (in Round 6) when he bowled extremely well to one of the best batsmen in the comp in Mick Sheedy, since then he has been in terrific form,” Vozzo said.
“He bowls really well to his fields and I know we’re an inexperienced team but we field pretty well so we’re able to keep the pressure on with our pretty quick ground speed.”
The result lifted Box Hill to a 6-4 record and two wins clear inside the top six.
Most tipped the Mustangs would struggle this season after the departures of spearhead James Pearson, star batting duo Paul Gloury and Justin Lampard and English batting all-rounder Steven Sandhu.
But through youth, Box Hill has emerged as a flag contender.
Vozzo said his side would keep believing.
“It’s good we’ve pushed nine points clear of that seventh spot but sky’s the limit because we’ve beaten three teams above us so we think we can beat anyone on our day,” he said.
“We’re only young and inexperienced and all that but confidence is a big thing and it’s been playing in our hands the last few weeks.”
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