On the road, Lions bounce back

By Todd Whelan – Darley Cricket Club

Darley’s comfortable 78 run win over Mount Clear at the weekend consolidates their second placing on the BCA table with three games to play before finals.

The Lions can’t miss (finals), as a highly anticipated crack at a three-peat lies in waiting. Their last three home and away games include meetings with Naps-Sebas (3rd), Wendouree (1st) and Ballarat-Redan (6th) in what looms an ideal preparation en-route (potentially) to ‘the big dance’. But can the Lions deliver when it counts most without star all-rounder Danza Hyatt? One man in particular could well prove the key.

Opening batsman Dilon Chandima continued his stellar debut season on Saturday with a run-a-ball 89 to put the Lions into a commanding position with runs on the board – 220 of them. To say the little ‘Chandimaster’ left a third century out there would be an understatement. Given the classy and entertaining nature of his innings that included 11 fours and a six it was reasonable to speculate Chandima could have gone ‘big’, eyeing 150 plus but it wasn’t to be. Barely troubled throughout his 89 ball dig, Chandima’s knock came to a premature end when he was stumped down the legside with the score on 137 and plenty overs still in hand.

Lions coach Brian Wheelahan acknowledged Chandima among others in the aftermath.

“Dilon has endorsed himself as one of the best players in the competition given how dangerous he is with both bat and ball,” he said.

“He’s really stepped up in Danza’s absence and oozes class all around the wicket.”

Wheelahan also paid tribute to all rounder Hasi Wickramasinghe who is enjoying his best season with the bat since joining the Lions.

“It’s a real credit to Hasi, he has worked extremely hard on his batting and is now in a great space, fully in tune with his own game,” he said.

While Captain Brad Barnes missed out with the bat – his on-field leadership was crucial. Barnes was motivating by voice all day in the trying heat and nailed his bowling changes to perfection. Furthermore, he was backed up in by his players in the field in what was arguably their best performance of the season – they caught everything and saved a number of boundaries on an otherwise unforgiving, lightning-fast outfield.

Wheelahan hit the nail on the head identifying the most pleasing aspect of the win.

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https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-22/21

in the 22 February 2022 edition
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pick up a paper around your town.