Waaia batter Mitch Cleeland reflected on a war of attrition at Deakin Reserve as his side defeated Central Park-St Brendan's.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Waaia claimed a hard-fought 13-run victory over Central Park St Brendan’s in its Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield qualifying final clash at Deakin Reserve after a tight two-day contest was dominated by the bowlers.
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In a low-scoring match where runs proved difficult to come by, Waaia’s first-innings total of 137 ultimately proved decisive as CPStB was dismissed for 124 in reply.
CPStB’s bowlers set the tone early on day one, keeping Waaia under constant pressure.
Dwain Vidler led the attack superbly with 4-34 from 19 overs, while Jarrod Wakeling supported strongly with 3-46 as the visitors were restricted throughout the innings.
Despite the steady loss of wickets, Waaia found valuable resistance through captain Mitchell Cleeland and Brandon Diplock.
Cleeland top-scored with a patient 44 from 115 deliveries, while Diplock added 36 from 118 balls as the pair guided Waaia to 137 in 64.1 overs.
The momentum shifted on the second day as Waaia’s bowlers responded with an outstanding performance of their own.
Diplock proved the difference with the ball, claiming an impressive 6-47 from 25 overs, while Jesse Trower delivered a tireless spell of 4-47 from 30 overs, including 15 maidens, as the pair shared all 10 wickets.
CPStB struggled to build partnerships after slipping to 5-41 early in its innings.
Tyler Larkin produced the best resistance with a determined 35 from 97 balls, while Mitchell Brett added 9 in the middle order.
Waaia batter Jordan Cleeland during the Haisman Shield clash
Photo by
Megan Fisher
With the home side reeling at 9-107, Vidler launched a late fightback with a stubborn 34 from 103 deliveries, guiding the last-wicket stand with Jarrod Wakeling to keep CPStB in the contest.
But with the deficit down to 13 runs, Trower finally broke through when Vidler was caught by Jordan Cleeland to end the innings at 124 and secure Waaia the victory.
The result sends Waaia through after a tense and hard-fought Haisman Shield finals contest at Deakin Reserve.
Reflecting on coming out on top after what was a war of attrition over the two days, Waaia skipper Mitch Cleeland confirmed that his team will enjoy basking in this success before turning their attentions to the next round of the competition.
“We were knew we were in for a fight whatever we had on the board but this builds confidence for us moving into next week against Karramomus,” he said.
“We never once doubted [ourselves] or whether we were good enough.
“It was just about putting things together at the right time so we’ll build to next week - we’re confident that our best is good enough.
As for for the upcoming clash against Karramomus, Cleeland admitted he is all too aware of their qualities heading into next week’s encounter.
“We’re also wary that Karramomus has a very good side and they beat us throughout the year so we’ve got plenty of work to do,” he said.
“If we can play our best cricket, hopefully that’s good enough again.”
Waaia’s Jordan Cleeland was a standout performer over the two days at Deakin Reserve.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Cleeland said his side knew it would need to produce a strong bowling and fielding performance after posting what he described as a below-par total.
“It was an under-par score in the first place on our part and we knew that we’d have to bowl and field really well [on day two],” he said.
“That excitement and jubilation was probably due to that I guess and it’s not every day that you can defend a score like that.
“So, I guess the emotions spilled out a little bit at the end but we’re aware that’s not our grand final and we’ve hopefully got plenty of cricket to come.
“We’re aware that there’s plenty of work to do between now and next week’s game and we can’t look too far forward than that.
“We’re realistic about where we’re at and we’ve got plenty of improving to do and work to do behind the scenes to get ready for next week.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’ll enjoy this win and have a few beers to celebrate tonight - but come Tuesday we’re straight back into work and hopefully we’ll put our best foot forward next week.”
As a closing comment, the Waaia captain issued praise for teammate Jordan Cleeland following his heroics in taking the decisive catch late in the innings.
“The big fella doesn’t drop many in the slips and this was another case of that,” he said.
Brandon Diplock (Waaia): A match-defining all-round performance from Diplock helped steer Waaia to victory, with the import taking 6-47 from 25 overs in a superb bowling display before contributing a crucial 36 with the bat in the first innings to help lift his side to a competitive total.
