VSDCA: Elsternwick climbs to fifth spot after beating Ormond in south-west section

Elsternwick star LJ Edwards said there’s “a first for everything” after his match-winning innings ended in unusual circumstances in the VSDCA on Saturday.

Action from the Elsternwick-Ormond match at Elsternwick Park on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Elsternwick star LJ Edwards said there’s “a first for everything” after his match-winning innings ended in unusual circumstances in the VSDCA on Saturday.

Edwards was on 65 (off 52 balls) when he rocked back and lofted a delivery from Ormond leg-spinner Miles Sellenger to deep mid-wicket where Zac Sleeman took the catch.

But Sleeman stood on a boundary cone and, showing great sportsmanship, immediately signalled six.

As this went on, Edwards was already heading to the sheds, knowing he was out; he’d trod on his stumps as he played the shot — and was out “hit wicket’’.

LJ Edwards batting for Elsternwick. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Roshan Livera. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The uncommon dismissal ended a superb innings by Edwards, who hit 6 fours and 3 sixes as Elsternwick surged to its sixth victory in south-west section of Subbies.

After dismissing Ormond for 171, Elsty achieved victory in the 34th over, making 4-172.

Edwards and Dasun Opanayaka (30) put on 81 for the third wicket after coming together at 2-40.

Elsternwick skipper Zac Grundmann (25no off 14 balls) and Tom Cooper (17no off 5 balls) blasted the side over the line.

Grundmann said Edwards made batting look easy on a new couch wicket being used for the first time this season.

“Everyone else made it look pretty tough except for LJ,’’ he said. “It’s pretty nice to have that in your batting line up.’’

Nick Oaten on the attack for Ormond as Elsternwick wicket keeper Tom Cooper looks on. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Grundmann said Elsternwick’s bowling attack set up victory.

Tall paceman Jack Phillips was given the new ball for the first time this season and extracted the most of the conditions, taking early wickets to finish with 2-28 off 9 overs.

Grundmann said there was a plan behind the decision to give Phillips the new ball.

“Roshan Livera and Das (Dasun Opanayaka) have done a great job for us all season,’’ he said.

“But we’d just lost some control after they’ve come off so we thought we’d bring Jack on up front, try and take some wicket which he did and then keep that control with Rosh coming on first change which worked pretty well.’’

Livera bowled beautifully, taking 4-25, and vice-captain Finn Usher chipped in with 1-8.

Action from Elsternwick v Ormond. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Will Robertshaw on the drive for Ormond. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Eight Ormond batters got starts, with Bailey Moon (32) and Jamie Price (27) doing best.

Elsternwick has climbed to fifth spot, eyeing off another finals campaign.

Grundmann said Elsty’s strength this season was its deep-in-depth batting — not justin the ones but throughout the club (opener Michael Edwards put his hand up for a recall to the ones with a crisp 103no off 102 balls in the seconds on Saturday).

Grundmann said his side was looking forward to the next two months.

“It’s tight now. We’ve jumped into fifth with Spotswood losing and Caulfield losing,’’ he said.

“It’s such an even comp.

“We play Caulfield, Malvern and Oakleigh in our last three games so there’s still everything to play for which is good.’’