THE shackles are set to be released on Irymple’s much-vaunted bowling attack heading into the first round of two-day cricket in the Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) this weekend.
The 2017-18 First Division premiers boast a league-best record of six wins and one loss, sitting atop the standings, with their only loss, in round 5, coming against Workers Gol Gol.
Now they travel to Mildura West’s John Hall Oval on Saturday for day one of round 8 without over limits and fielding restrictions, much to the delight of skipper Jordan Payne.
“Our bowling speaks for itself,” he said.
“To be able to restrict sides to under 90 and under 100. We’re looking forward to two-day cricket – that obviously gives me greater flexibility depending on what the wicket is doing and depending on the batsman that’s in.
“Our bowling is our greatest strength I believe, and our batting is improving each year.
“In years gone by, we were a terrible batting team, and we openly admitted that – we just didn’t make enough runs but we bowled our way to victory.
“To keep that same group as a bowling unit and add to it a little but I suppose, with Bryson (Lush) and in years gone by Scott Steel and George Harding – blokes who you can add to the stocks.”
Some of the younger generation are also helping.
“Billy (Phelan) has bowled exceptionally in the Twenty20s and so has Bailey Anderson when he’s opened with the ball,” Payne said.
“These young kids are doing their job coming through and taking wickets for us and restricting runs.
“That’s probably the biggest thing for me as captain, just getting them to bowl to their fields and put us in a position to take wickets.”
Former Mildura West all-rounder Lush has been a major boost to the Swallows’ ever-improving batting.
Seemingly over the shoulder injuries that plagued the end of his time at West, Lush has made 173 runs so far in seven Twenty20 matches – the fourth most of any batsman this season.
“When he came across I was stoked,” Payne said.
“He’s the right age group for us, he’s good mates with Chase Stone as well, so that made his transition easier.
“He’s just given us a new energy and that’s all you can hope for when someone comes into a club. You don’t want them to come in and try to take over per se, but he gives a new energy, he’s very driven.
“I’ve just given him a licence to open the batting and do as he wants. He’s a smart enough cricketer and smart enough bloke to know what he’s doing, so
I’m just going to back him in at the moment and he’s speaking for himself.”
Payne said he also valued off-spinner Lush’s contribution with the ball.
“He didn’t expect to bowl as much, but with the way the Twenty20s have played out for us he’s been super for us and we’ve been good enough to set the right fields for him and just let him go.”
