AN impressive Kyle Humphrys’ innings was the shining light in Warrnambool and District Cricket Association’s two-wicket loss to Colac and District Cricket Association yesterday.
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Humphrys used the trial match — a chance for players to stake their claim for Melbourne Country Week honours — to find form.
He opened the batting at Davidson Oval, crafting 66 to help WDCA to 173 in 46 overs.
WDCA’s four remaining overs were added to CDCA’s 50 as per Country Week rules and the visitors made the most of the extra time at the crease.
CDCA secured the win with two wickets in hand in the 51st over.
WDCA skipper Brett Eldridge said his side took positives out of the loss, pointing to Humphrys’ steadiness and the input of young bowlers Glenn Hannah and Andy Rishton.
Hannah finished with from 1-16 off 10 overs and Rishton 2-37 to complement his 31 runs.
“It is always disappointing to lose representative games but we played good cricket and tried players in different spots,” he said.
“Kyle was really good and summed up the situation.
“He opened the batting and really was the anchor for the innings.
“He batted well ... and sweated on the bad balls.”
Eldridge lamented WDCA’s inability to build middle order partnerships and bat out its overs to push for a score above 200.
The game started almost two hours late after CDCA arrived in Warrnambool well past the expected start time of 10am.
But Eldridge said the two associations had started plans to play another trial game after Christmas as preparations for February’s Melbourne Country Week ramp up. WDCA will compete in division two at the annual tournament, while CDCA is preparing for a division three title tilt.
“It was a good test for both sides,” Eldridge said of yesterday’s fixture.
“It was played in pretty good spirits.”
The WDCA hopes to name an expanded Melbourne Country Week squad on Wednesday night.
That group will then train together before a final team is picked.