Lions rue opportunity lost

Darley Cricket Club – By Todd Whelan

A dramatic batting collapse has proven the catalyst behind the Lions 14 run loss on the road against East Ballarat at the weekend.

Needing 189 runs for victory the reigning dual Premiers recovered from 3/19 to be in a winning position at 4/150 before unravelling to be all out for 174. Captain Bradley Barnes (80) near single handily arrested the momentum with support crew Brodie Ward (24) and Drew Locke (33) but fell short as the Lions lost their last six wickets for 24, including 4/4 to close out the innings.

Coach Brian Wheelahan was left to rue every bit of missed opportunity in the aftermath.

“Poor decisions towards the back end really cost us,” he said.

“Our lack of match awareness with the bat allowed East Ballarat back into it.”

Never to dwell on the negative for too long, Wheelahan was quick to acknowledge the efforts of Barnes especially, clearly his best knock of the season.

“Barnesy proved he can be as damaging as anyone, recapturing his form and finally getting some reward for himself,” he said.

“He really built himself up for this one in what was a true Captain’s knock.”

Wheelahan endorsed the returns of Brodie Ward and Drew Locke, the only other Lion’s batsmen to reach double figures.

“Brodie and Drew’s knocks were another positive,” he said.

“Both batted with maturity and sensibility but like Barnesy, would be disappointed not being there at the end.”

According to Wheelahan his bowlers did a good job restricting the home side to 188 after they looked 200 bound, at one stage cruising at 2/120.

“While we were inconsistent by our own standards early, the bowlers responded well through the middle and latter stages of the innings,” he said.

“Hasi (4/37) and Khwaja (2/13) were the pick of our bowlers.”

Wheelahan is hopeful Saturday’s loss proves a timely wake-up call for his players ahead of the four remaining games leading up to finals.

“We’re a proud group – I’m confident we can bounce back quickly against Mount Clear this weekend,” he said.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-15/19

in the 15 February 2022 edition
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