Redbacks bowling venom kills off potential SYCU upset

On paper, it appeared the deck was a tricky wicket to bat on, with 19 wickets taken across 85.4 overs, but Kyabram coach Jackson McLay assured it was rather the bowling prowess of either side - plus a few Kyabram brain fades - that led to the low-scoring battle.

“The wicket was pretty slow, but we were sitting in a really good position with the bat at 2-110, but we went all out for 144,” McLay said.

“That was off the back of poor execution on our behalf really, and some good bowling on their behalf.”

Kyabram’s Kyle Fitzgerald was dismissed for one in the second over, but a strong Paul Parsons and Billy McLay partnership steadied the Redbacks towards what seemed to be a comfortable target, with the pair both making scores in the 40s before their departures from the crease.

What followed though was a crash of wickets, with only two more batsmen, captain Kyle Mueller and Charlie McLay, to make runs in double digits, before the Redbacks were stunningly all out for 144 with a touch over four overs left in the innings.

McLay stated he felt his side would need to bowl out SYCU if the Redbacks were to salvage a victory from the jaws of defeat, lamenting the mental lapses that cost his side a significant total to defend.

“I’d thought we’d have to take early wickets - with the bat we were definitely 80 to 90 (runs) short of what we wanted,” McLay said.

“Complete credit to our bowling unit to defend such a low total, we thought we’d have to bowl them out to win the game.

“It was not how I expected that innings to pan out - to lose 8-34 was quite frustrating.”

Although Kyabram expected 10 wickets to get the job done, the Redbacks took nine as SYCU survived the full 45 overs.

However, on a slow deck and with tight, pressure-building bowling, the Redbacks defended their low total to the end, with the required run rate at one stage exceeding a run per ball.

“Our whole plan was around building pressure because we thought we’d have to bowl them out,” McLay said.

“But we kept their scoring minimal and in the end we were able to get the required run rate to six an over which was just an amazing effort by our bowlers, and they finished nine down.”

McLay commended the full bowling unit for a comprehensive team effort with the Kookaburra.

He noted the plan to build bowling partnerships would create pressure from either end, and it was reflected on the stat sheet - five out of the six bowlers for the day kept SYCU’s economy to under three runs an over, while all of those five each held at least one wicket to their name by stumps.

However, McLay was quick to relay to his troops that the standard of cricket displayed won’t get them far against stronger sides, including next week’s opponent, reigning premiers Waaia.

“We spoke about it after the game, it wasn’t all pats on the back, we’ve got plenty of work to do,” McLay said.

“We’re getting good partnerships up front with the bat, but we’re just finding ways to hand momentum back to the opposition and putting ourselves under pressure.

“It’s a work in progress at the moment; if we put in a performance like that this week against Waaia we’re gonna have our pants pulled down.”

Waaia has won three on the spin following its shock round one defeat to Mooroopna, while the Redbacks have rebounded with two victories since their round two loss to second-placed Central Park-St Brendan’s.