VSDCA 2021-22: How “shock” upset will lift Box Hill

Box Hill pulled off one of the upsets of the season on Saturday in the VSDCA’s North-East group...

Box Hill had tasted victory just once all season.

But spirits are high at the Mustangs after Saturday’s upset of VSDCA North-East ladder-leader, Kew.

Knocking the visitors over for 90, the Mustangs (3-92) finished the job with eight overs remaining to romp to a seven-wicket victory.

Box Hill captain Tom Newman said while the boilover came as “a bit of a shock”, he said the “spin-friendly” wicket worked to the hosts’ advantage.

“When we were warming up, I took it upon myself to make sure everyone had their head in the game,” Newman said.

“You never know (what can happen) when the wicket sort of brings it back to more of a level playing field.

“I said let’s go and take it right up to them, and everyone got behind that mindset.”

The Mustangs stunned Kew with a string of early wickets, before plunging the visitors to 8-48 led by Muhammad Saeed with 4-22 off nine overs, and openers James Box (2-23 off nine) and Liam Dick (1-14 off nine) who went to work on the top-order.

Muhammad Saeed had been sidelined most of the season with a knee injury. Picture: Hamish Blair

Vernon Mittal (2-16 off seven) and Bhargav Kandala (1-8 off 3.4) also had crucial stints.

“We just bowled really good lines … ‘Boxy’ bowled really well at the top, and so did (right-arm off-spinner) Liam Dick – he opened the bowling and knew they had a few left handers at the top of the order,” Newman said.

“When we got a few early wickets, we were pretty up and about.”

Newman also praised the resolve of Mittal (38 not-out off 77 balls) and Dick (28 not-out off 96), who partnered for 66 match-winning runs after the Mustangs fell to 3-26 in reply.

“It was a really good performance from a few of the boys who took it upon themselves to get us home with the bat,” Newman said.

Newman said the victory would do wonders for his side’s confidence with three rounds to play.

Box Hill meets Brunswick (ninth), Plenty Valley (sixth) and Ivanhoe (16th) to round out the season.

“It’s just been a tough year … a few injuries haven’t helped us, but it (the victory) just proves to a few of the boys that they’re capable of playing First XI cricket and capable of performing,” Newman said.

“If we can pinch another couple of wins, it doesn’t make the season look as bad as it does on paper … it’ll be massive for everyone.”