Eighty-run stand between Josh Larkin and Callum Stow puts Geelong back on the winners list

An 80-run partnership for the eighth wicket has rescued Geelong from a precarious position as the Cats get back on the winners list.

Geelong opener Josh McDonald made 56 off just 43 balls. Picture: Carey Neate.

An 80-run eighth wicket stand between Geelong captain Josh Larkin and spinning star Callum Stow has helped the Cats get back onto the winners list and jump three places to ninth on the Victorian Premier table.

Geelong had slumped to 12th on the ladder going into the Christmas break following some patchy form and the overall grind of three months on the road.

And on Saturday, the Cats were wobbling again at 7-169 against Frankston Peninsula when Josh McDonald was dismissed for a rapid 56 off just 43 balls with eight boundaries and a six at Jubilee Park.

However, Larkin (a measured 87 off 120 rocks) and Stow (29 not out) ensured the Cats would post a more than competitive total of 8-249 off 50 overs.

Josh McDonald raises the bat for his half century. Picture: Carey Neate.

It was Geelong’s highest total since posting 263 against Camberwell in Round 3, and it was Larkin and Stow’s highest individual scores for the season.

It proved to be a day out for all the Joshes with Garner claiming 5-34, with support from Arjun Sehrawat (3-45) and Stow (2-31 off 9.4 overs).

“We really wanted to get it as deep as we could, we wanted to bat our overs, it was just getting ‘Stowy’ comfortable with the wicket,” Larkin said about his early conversations with his batting partner.

“The way he batted was fantastic.

“He definitely works hard on his batting, he’s pretty hard on himself at times.

“It was tough going early, I didn’t really hit my straps until the quick bowlers came back on (at the end of the innings).

“By the end of it I was absolutely spent.”

Geelong beat Frankston Peninsula by 46 runs. Picture: Carey Neate.

He said Garner was the pick of the bowlers, while Sehrawat also possessed fantastic control with his leggies.

“’Arj’ had the ball turning beautifully, he had awesome control and we set really strong fields for him as well,” he said.

“He’s been outstanding ... he always wants to be in the game.

“It was definitely an important win.

“We’re only one or two points out from the eight now, so definitely still in the hunt for sure.”

Fortunately, Geelong’s life on the road is coming to an end, with just one more trip against Casey South Melbourne before cricket returns to Kardinia Park on January 25 against Prahran.

Josh Larkin raises the bat for his half century. Picture: Carey Neate.

Larkin said assistant coach Jake Brown had been appointed official bus driver with the team leaving as early as 7.30am on game days, getting home about 8.30pm on Saturday after their trip to Frankston.

“We’ve got the two longest trips before we get to go back home,” he said.

“(Playing at home is) something we’re really looking forward to.

“(Brown has) done a lot of hours driving the bus, we’re bloody thankful for him for doing it.

“Even if you do have a really good win or a pretty bad loss, at the end of the day you’re on the bus with your mates.”

He said a few beers and some KFC was usually on the menu post-match, regardless of the result.

Originally published as Eighty-run stand between Josh Larkin and Callum Stow puts Geelong back on the winners list