By Jonty Ralphsmith
Clyde could move to within a win of the top four on Saturday, capping off a strong month of form in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association Premier competition.
The Cougars are just 166 runs behind Upper Beaconsfield with 10 wickets in hand after a season-best bowling performance from opening bowler Ankush Rana.
The quick took 4/47 off 19, including two key wickets when Upper Beaconsfield threw their strongest punch.
“He’s bowled well without luck in the previous matches,” skipper Trevor Bauer said.
“In his first spell he got one wicket and when he came back, he targeted the stumps and then changed his approach by slipping in the odd short ball; which caught the batters by surprise and I think got two of his three catches at short mid wicket when he went short.
“His spell brought us back into the match which helped us close it out.”
Max Adams was another important member of the cartel, while Nick Shannon took five wickets in round five and Kane Avard and Praveen Perera have also contributed with the ball at different points of the season.
Bauer is confident the unit is starting to gel.
“We learned the biggest lesson against Pakenham where our batting tempo was slow and bowling plan and field sets for our bowling strengths were a little bit off,” Bauer said.
“We’ve recognised Nick Shannon is our fastest bowler so we set fields that allow him to get the ball through.
“He’s our barometer with voice energy and drive to win.
“He’s giving us a ruthless edge to stay in games and win games.
“Max bowled well at the start and he hasn’t been quite where he wants to be and for him to get three early wickets and work his way into the season is positive.
“These are the games we’ve got to be ruthless in.
“We don’t give opportunities to let these guys back in the game.
“We fought it out to bowl them out and if we bat well and stay true to our recent form, we should get it.”
