VSDCA 2021-22: Bayswater snaps five-game losing streak

The Waters hadn’t tasted victory since before Christmas, but were able to arrest their slide through experience and youth on Saturday...

Bayswater captain John Salter set his side the challenge of arresting its form-slump – and it responded on Saturday.

The Waters (6-149) enjoyed their first victory since before the Christmas break, ending a five-game losing-streak with a four-wicket win over Ivanhoe (145).

But it was about more than just the result on the weekend, with Salter lauding his side’s emerging talent in the win – namely Isaac Macklin, who stood out with bat and ball.

Taking 1-13 off five overs, Macklin followed up with 31 runs off 34 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes.

“It was a real breakout game for Isaac Macklin … bowled first-change and probably bowled his best spell for us since being in the team,” Salter said.

“Then he came out and batted at No. 6 and he started a little bit nervous but once he got going, he hit the ball so cleanly, played some beautiful cover-drives and a couple of sixes.

“From all reports, in the seconds he was taking the bowlers on and playing really aggressively, and we saw a bit of that on the weekend for the first time.”

Opening bat Robbie Cox also knocked 31 runs, while recent debutant Muhammad Arsalan led the way with the ball, taking 4-28 off nine overs.

Robbie Cox of Bayswater. Picture: Georg Sal

“He (Arsalan) has proven to us that his bowling’s a bit better than part-time leg-spin, he’s been really good,” Salter said.

The skipper last week lamented his side’s trend of losing wickets in quick succession but said it had managed to close the gap on Saturday, with the win lifting a weight off the group’s shoulders.

“That was an improvement and a big focus, there’s probably a few guys in that top five or six that would’ve liked to have gone on with their starts and got 50-plus, but to not lose wickets in clumps was definitely a big improvement,” Salter said.

“We spoke about the areas of the game where we were really letting ourselves down, and how much better and more positive we’ll feel if we get a win.

“That was definitely the case, a good feeling in the rooms after the game … everyone in the team believed that we were good enough.”

Bayswater takes on Kew away in Round 13.