By Russell Bennett
WGCA PREMIER DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 5 (DAY ONE)
One of the most prodigiously-talented young guns in the WGCA’s top flight gave a glimpse into his incredibly promising future on Saturday as he led Cardinia to a strong day one total against competition powerhouse, Pakenham.
But the Bulls’ job is still only half done, and they know it.
At 6/100 on Saturday, Alex Nooy’s men were staring right down the barrel of a paltry total – but Travis Wheller stepped up to the plate.
Long thought of by those outside of Cardinia Cricket Club circles as the heir apparent to champion spinner Dwayne Doig, Wheller’s ability as a genuine batsman has long gone unheralded.
But the fact is, he’s an impressive stroke-player on both sides of the wicket – on both the front and back foot.
On Saturday – in combination with the likes of Ricky Campbell (17) and Brad Reiner (29) – Wheller (100) steered the Bulls to a strong 219 off the back of a sparkling debut century.
It was an innings that had everything, and was highlighted by some incredible composure and maturity against a battle hardened, albeit slightly under-strength, Lions attack.
“To be where we were at 6/100, I was thinking maybe (we’d get to) 140 or 160, but then Trav was hitting them better and better – I couldn’t be happier for him,” Nooy told the Gazette in the wake of Wheller’s breakthrough innings.
“I’m super proud of him – we all told him afterwards just how proud we all were.”
Nooy spoke candidly about Wheller’s inconsistency at times – particularly with the increased expectation on him following Doig’s departure from the first XI.
It all served to make Saturday’s performance all the more impressive.
Bulls recruit AJ Walker has made starts in each of his five knocks so far this year for the Bulls, and his 33 on Saturday was important to their cause.
But his impact in his time at the club so far has been felt as much off field as it has on it – particularly when it comes to his leadership of the Bulls’ youngsters.
“AJ’s been a big part of just backing him (Wheller) in really,” Nooy said, adding that the Bulls had some discussions about their batting order and whether they should change it up.
But they backed their man Wheller in to do a job in the middle order, and on Saturday he delivered in spades.
“We’ll back all our boys in this year, and have the confidence in them that they can turn their form around,” Nooy said.
“They know they have the support of the leadership team – that they can go out there and play with real freedom.”
Nooy spoke to the significance of Walker’s addition into the Bulls set-up, not just from a batting perspective.
“We know what he’s capable of with the bat, but it’s more about the leadership – the more experienced head, particularly with Doigy taking a step down,” he said of the former Emerald captain-coach.
“We wanted that experienced guy who’d been around, and who’d coached before.
“He’s a ripping guy. We’ve got quite a young group, and he’s perfect for it.”
Nooy also heaped praise on the potential of Wheller to develop into a real cornerstone of the Bulls – not just with his spin bowling, but as a legitimate batsman.
“You know he can do so well because he can play everything from a lofted cover drive, to a pull shot off the quickest bowler in the competition, to late cuts,” he said.
“He now knows what it takes to get to the three figures.”
Nooy said the Bulls’ other youngsters would be able to feed off Wheller’s performance with the willow, and the confidence it would give him.
“Hopefully it’s a breakout season for him and he goes really well,” he said of Wheller.
“I’d be lying if I said we hadn’t had chats about opposition clubs talking with him (trying to recruit him).
“But he’s not only super-talented – he’s really loyal.”
Nooy praised Wheller for the acceptance of his role in his early days in the first XI – given it was often behind Doig.
But he took that opportunity to serve an apprenticeship to him – to see how such a quality player went about his craft, and to learn from him.
And now he can reap the rewards.
The Bulls were quick to upload a video to social media of the moment Wheller reached his debut ton on Saturday, and Nooy admits he’s watched it “about 20 times”.
“It really puts the hair up on the back of your neck,” he said, adding that Wheller’s partnership with Reiner had the potential to be a “game-changer” in the scheme of the contest with the Lions.
But much of the work is still to be done.
“220 is probably still not par at Cardinia, especially against Pakenham,” Nooy said.
“There’s still a hell of a lot of work to do – the job is half-done.”
The task for the Bulls is to now capitalise with the ball on the momentum they created with the bat late in their innings – Wheller included.
The Lions’ attack (missing the likes of Jack Ryan and Chris Smith) was led by Tom Tyrrell’s 3/56 on Saturday, with Jason Williams snaring 2/38 from his 21 overs unchanged. Jack Melbourne, who got the call up from the second XI, finished with an impressive 2/8 from 11 overs – having snared both Nooy (4) and opening partner James Giertz (6) – while impressive all-rounder Dale Tormey (2/36) also claimed two wickets.
Nearby on Saturday, Tooradin laid the foundation of a strong innings with the bat, sitting on a patient at 1/69 off 38 overs at the tea break – with star opener Russ Lehman set on 31 not out.
But unfortunately for the Gulls they couldn’t go on with it and were dismissed for 184 inside 70 overs.
Lehman (42) and Kade Burns (21) were stoic early in their 50-run stand, but weren’t able to convert on their steady starts.
The same applied for Cal O’Hare (13), Josh Lownds (36), Brody Harbinson (22), and Andrew Proctor (22) as Jess Mathers picked up yet another five wicket haul for the Demons.
He had 0/15 from his first 16 overs and finished with 5/55 from 28.3, while Tiron Fernando was the home side’s other multiple wicket-taker with 3/53.
The Demons then had eight overs to face with the bat late on day one and made it through unscathed. They’ll resume this week on 0/30, with Chris O’Hara and skipper Mark Cooper not out on 13 and 16 respectively.
Upper Beaconsfield, meanwhile, scored a modest 124 batting first at home against Devon Meadows but the situation would have been far more dire for the Maroons had it not been for Imesh Jayasekara’s 85 – backing up from his 120 in Round 4 against Pakenham.
He and Jayden Joyce – playing his first game of the season – were the only Upper Beac batsmen to reach double figures as Scott Clark (3/32), Ash Meade (3/17), and Lucas Carroll (3/17) claimed three wickets apiece.
But the Panthers still have some work to do if they’re to secure the points this week. They’ll resume on 4/70 on day two, with Kyle Salerno (32) and Scott Clark the not out batsmen. Jayden Joyce has the figures of 2/8 from his five overs so far.
The remaining game of Round 5 has progressed quickly, with Clyde rapidly closing in on first innings points at Donnelly Reserve against Merinda Park.
The Cobras were steamrolled in their first innings, dismissed for just 76 as Nick Sadler (5/27) and Pat Lawson (4/30) dominated with ball in hand.
The Cougars will resume this week on 3/54, having already faced 31 overs in their first innings. Skipper Kiefer Peries (22) and John Simpson (13) are the not out batsmen.
