Sharks’ bowlers reel them in
A DISCIPLINED performance from Geelong City’s unheralded bowling group was decisive in the Sharks’ 44-run defeat of Murgheboluc, extending City’s record to three wins from four rounds.
Spearhead Adam Marsland, combined with the enigmatic Tom Driver (4-33), along with newcomers Logan Taylor (2-31) and Byron Taylor (3-37), to wear the Frogs into submission with line and length bowling. “When you’ve got 200 on the board you are a massive chance,” Sharks’ captain Richie Oliver said postgame.
“While in the face of 85 overs it’s not a massive score, the scoreboard pressure soon comes in if they don’t get on with it early doors.
“They had stages when they were getting a bit of momentum, but the guys took their chances and we struck at the right time.”
Daanish Mehta continued his impressive form from the previous round with 45 at number three, but, even though they were able to get starts, the returning Scott Dixon (23) and Jason Grozdanovski (20) were unable to form big partnerships and go on for big tallies.
“We were able to apply the pressure from ball one today,” Oliver said.
“We had to get eight blokes out behind the wicket today and that was good, hard cricket.” The Englishman was particularly praiseworthy of Driver’s 13-over contribution.
“He’s effective, he poses a lot of questions for the bats- men,” Oliver said. “He’s got a slower ball, a quicker ball and a stock ball.
“He’s taken this season by the scruff of the neck and he’s a versatile part of our side.”
The Sharks’ willingness to adhere to the bowling plan was instrumental in the result.
“We haven’t got anyone that can blow a side away, so we have to do it the hard way,” Oliver said.
“We’re living on the theory that we can handle pressure better than the opposition and we’re putting them under pressure through sheer determination.”