Bowlers, McDonald fire team up the ladder

Ludeman was dismissed for a duck Geelong had some work to do to recover from a shaky start.

Josh McDonald (61 off 42 balls) and skipper Eamonn Vines (74 not out) played contrasting knocks but steadied the ship for the visitors, with Vines reinforcing why state selectors selected him for today’s Futures League clash against South Australia.

He was there to see Geelong across the line in the 40th over, with the win propelling the Cats to within two points of a berth in the eight.

Coach Andre Borovec said it was an encouraging allround performance.

“We’ve got a bit of momentum now which is nice,” Borovec said.

“It was a good chase because it was a seaming wicket and the bowlers were kept interested all day. So to manage that and still get the bonus point and do it with plenty of breathing space in terms of wickets in hand was really pleasing.

“Josh and Eamonn are dif- ferent style players but part of our game plan was for Josh to take the game on because it was a difficult wicket to bat on.

“He struck the ball really cleanly and his was the most dynamic innings in the whole match, and it was a real game changer for us to get that bonus point.”

Vines has now scored 408 runs at an average of 136 this season, and was only denied a third straight century because of the small target his team had been set.

Borovec said the 23-year- old just had to make sure he was in the right spot at the right time to be a chance of cracking into the Victorian first XI.

“Eamonn yet again just controlled the innings,” he said.

“He has another chance this week to put his name up but we have to be realistic in that Victoria won the Sheffield Shield title last year and won it pretty well, and the players who are batting up the top are seriously good players who have contributed for a fair while now.”