Waaia captain Mitch Cleeland will be hoping to guide his troops to successive Haisman Shield grand final victories.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Waaia cricket club captain Mitch Cleeland revealed that he is not yet ‘daring to dream’ ahead of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield grand final, as a date with destiny beckons against Kyabram.
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Having experienced the euphoria of clinching a maiden Haisman Shield crown last year, Waaia’s all-conquering kings are eager to retain the coveted piece of silverware on March 28 and 29.
Ahead of the trip to Katandra Reserve for this winner-takes-all two day clash, the reigning champions will be hoping to exhibit some of the same resilience that they have continually demonstrated in their previous two outings.
Against Karramomus in the semi-finals, the Bombers prevailed in what was a war of attrition, while Central Park-St Brendan’s also posed a test to Waaia’s resolve as the competition holders were made to toil for a place in the last four.
Waaia batter Jesse Trower reflected on a host of stern tests en route to the grand final
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Reflecting on these back-to-back tests of resolve in the lead-up to the grand final, Jesse Trower admitted that the formidability of Waaia’s opponents - which are five months without defeat - came as no surprise.
“When you’re playing good sides, that’s what you have to accept — whether it’s a first-wicket partnership or a tenth-wicket partnership, they’re always important,” he said.
Following what has been an arduous battle en route to the showpiece, Waaia skipper Cleeland has now opened up on the mood in the camp as his side looks to add more honours to the club’s trophy cabinet.
“We haven’t probably been at our best in all three forms of the game and to still have found ways to win when that’s been the case certainly fills us with belief,” he said.
The Bombers stalwart also was eager to express his admiration for his upcoming grand final opponents as he sized up the threat of the opposition, while highlighting his own side’s strengths.
“They’re definitely the side to beat and they’ve been the yardstick for the entire year,” he said.
“I think both sides would say they have a strong bowling line-up - they’ve proved that throughout the year - and they’ve got some good batters as well.
“So it’ll probably come down to the batting side of things in terms of who will win as both teams will be hoping that their bowling line-ups will fire.
“If either side can get an advantage with the bat, I’d say that’s going to go a long way to dictating the result.”
“We’re probably more so renowned for our bowling line-up so those guys are really consistent in ensuring that teams have got to invent ways of scoring against us.
“It’s never an ideal scenario when you’re defending a score that’s under-par or modest but when you can find a way to win when the chips are down, it’s a confidence booster for the side.”
Looking back at how the grand final panned out last year in what was a gruelling showdown with Nagambie, Cleeland is hopeful that the experience of getting over the line will provide encouragement for this latest appearance.
“Going back to last year, we lost the first final so we have learned when things are going against us and we’re the underdog that doesn’t mean that things are clear cut.
“If we can find a way to go back-to-back it’s going to be massive.
“We’re not daring to dream just yet and we’re focused on the job at hand.”
In terms of the tactical approach heading into this ultimate battle of wits, the Waaia talisman provided a rare insight into the conversations that have been ongoing in the locker room heading into the game.
“We know that we’re going to have to be extremely patient against their bowling line up because it goes up to 100 overs this week,” he said.
“If we can bat those 100 overs, we’re confident we can get a decent score and hopefully get over the line.
“I suppose it’s down to these two sides and whoever is the best side will win - so our concentration will be on playing our best brand of cricket.”
Waaia faces off against Kyabram in day one of the Haisman Shield grand finalfrom 11:00am on March 28 followed by day two of the action from 11:00am on March 29.
