By David Nagel
Momentum is everything in sport and Pakenham (2/121) is building a nice head of steam after the Lions made it four-straight with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Carlisle Park (120) on Saturday.
Another glorious innings from the imperious Chris Smith (70 not out), and the dominance of an underrated but versatile bowling attack, led the Lions to victory on their home ground.
The Lions had to overcome some early resistance from Vikings’ openers Ravi Kodithuwakku (60) and Dave Nutting (24) but completely dominated proceedings from that point forward.
It was a complete shut-down.
Skipper Dale Tormey (3/5) took top marks with the ball, with Troy McDermott (3/40), James Close (2/9) and crafty-spinner Jason Williams (2/34) taking the last eight Vikings’ wickets to fall for just 24 runs!
Smith then carved five boundaries and two powerful sixes in another brilliant display of batting. Williams (32 not out) joined the party as the Lions coasted home with 20 overs still left to bat.
Tormey said signs were good for the Lions, who struggled in the early rounds of the season
“We’ve probably improved a few percent from earlier in the season, but we’ve still got room for improvement, we’re fully aware of that, but we know what we’re capable of and we’ll keep working towards playing that type of cricket,” Tormey said.
The Lions’ skipper was also impressed with his team’s improving depth – the absolute key component in the helter-skelter of one-day cricket.
“Being 3/13 last week was a bit of a concern to start with, but I’ve got full confidence in our batting line up, and having Zac Chaplin back is going to be massive for us…there’s no better number six in the competition I would have thought,” he said.
“Troy McDermott hits the ball cleanly, we all know that, but he hadn’t had too many opportunities until last week…only two hits I think.
“Having those players in form, and watching them guide us home last week, gives us great confidence moving forward.”
Tormey, who by his own lofty standards is in the midst of a drought, stood on his stumps on the weekend when trying to flick a ball through the leg side.
“It’s clichéd, but during the week, Sunday through Friday, I’m hitting the ball the best I ever had,” Tormey said.
“We all go through patches, its cricket, but I only get disappointed and feel down on myself for a short time because winning games is far more important.
“We’re winning and that’s all that matters.
“If the wheel does turn, it’s only going to improve us as a cricket team. We’ve still got two months left so there’s plenty of cricket to be played.”
The Lions captain was lavish in his praise of Smith, who has had a bumper season with the willow.
“He’s in unbelievable form, just playing traditional cricket shots and he’s taking advantage of the two-men out in the early overs and playing fantastically well,’ Tormey said.
“I’ve played a decent standard of cricket and he’d be one of the best players to watch, he’s so naturally gifted and he makes it look so easy.
“I don’t think he knows how good he could have been.
“I’ve got no doubt if he had decided to take that step he would have made a great career in Premier Cricket and who knows how far he goes from there.
“I’ve played with blokes who have played a lot of Premier Cricket and I’d clearly take Chris Smith over them.”
The Lions will look to continue to build a head of steam, at home, against Cranbourne Meadows this Saturday, while Kodithuwakku, Nutting and co will look to snap a lengthy losing streak, also at home, against Kooweerup.
