MAKING the most of some good work with the ball and a solid start with the bat is the first step in Allanford’s bid to rise up the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) ladder.
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On Saturday, the Gators will resume day two of their game against Dennington in pursuit of the Dogs’ score of 188.
Allansford openers Chris Bant (4) and Mitchell Clark (37) navigated nine overs at the end of play last Saturday to have their team in a strong position at 0-41 heading into day two.
After the opening 10 rounds of shorter format cricket, the Gators sit in eighth place on the WDCA ladder.
They are coming off a victory over Merrivale and are aiming to win consecutive games for the first time in 2018-19.
Bant, the Gators’ captain, said the two-day format suited his team.
“We are a pretty even team and I think the longer format rewards that spread,” Bant said.
“Teams that rely on two or three players can still have success in the short formats but I think it does catch up in the two-dayers.
“We have being struggling to get our full team on the field but by the end of the year we will be looking alright.
“But we have to start winning games or we will fall too far behind.”
The Gators’ flying start with the bat against Dennington has been driven by Clark, whose unbeaten knock includes five boundaries and a six.
Bant said Clark’s place at the top of the order had come about through necessity.
“He normally bats in the middle order but he wasn’t sure if he was available for the second day so he opened the innings,” Bant said.
“He got us off to a positive start and I’m pretty sure he’ll be right to play on Saturday.
“He’s a good cricketer, bowls some handy off-spin and is a solid bat.
“This is his third year with us, he came from South Gippsland.
“He’s about 26 which is handy, there are not a lot of players in that age group in the competition.
“There are a lot of good young kids and older blokes but that mid-range age group is a little bit lighter on.
“It is a good age, blokes generally know their game by then and are playing good cricket.”
Clark’s all-round value to the Gators was on show on day one of the game against the Dogs.
Not only did he score quick runs, he also bowled 21 overs for a return of 2-66.
His numbers with bat and ball this season sit him comfortably in the genuine all-rounder class.
He has taken 16 wickets an average of 13.30 and has amassed 217 runs, including two half-centuries, at 27.10.
