PROGRESS has been steady in recent seasons for Mildura East, and coach Josh Berry believes the first XI is their most balanced side for a while.
With just Saturday’s one-dayer against Merbein at Kenny Park remaining before the break, East sit clear third on the ladder with four wins from six matches.
The Mildura Sporting Precinct tenants have been able to find wins from tough positions, as evidenced by their five-wicket victory over Mildura West last week.
In trouble at 4/14, co-captain Brad Thomas (123 not out) and seven-time Innes medal winner Tom Vadlja (87) used their experience to guide the side over the line.
Berry said it has been pleasing to find different contributors across all matches so far.
“Obviously in the game against West, it was Brad and Tom who put together some quality batting after we were in some early trouble,” he said.
“Across all our games, it feels like someone different has stood up when we’ve needed them.
“I feel like we’ve been building for the past two or three years and we had some signs of that last season, but a few close losses and some washouts in games we could have won didn’t help our cause.
“We’re off to a much better start this time and hopefully we can keep it going.”
Berry praised the innings of Thomas, who reached triple figures for the first time in the SCA since consecutive centuries in October 2016.
The left-hander also reached the mark during Sunraysia’s Melbourne Country Week victory over South West in February, finishing on 100 from 128 balls.
“It feels like it was a bit of a breakout score for Brad this season,” Berry said.
“I think MSP suits the way he bats, with a fast outfield, and he likes to keep the ball on the ground.
“He didn’t give the bowlers a chance, he batted so well and to have he and Tom there as experienced heads when we needed it was really important.”
Co-captain Andrew Ross leads the wickets takers with 12, but Zane Hunt (eight), Vadlja (six) and Nick Dorman (six) have all been contributors when needed.
“The boys have shared the load with the ball, we’ve got about five real pace options we can turn to at any time now with Tom coming in as the spinner,” Berry said.
“It’s probably the most balanced line-up both batting and bowling wise we’ve had in a few seasons.”
