Wendouree has a firm grasp on this season’s Ballarat Cricket Association first grade premiership following another impressive performance with the bat on day three of the grand final.
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The Red Caps ended day three on 5-225 to give them a 290-run lead – leaving Darley needing something miraculous on Sunday.
Wendouree’s control on the game was further enforced thanks to an outstanding innings from captain Cole Roscholler – who made 96.
Roscholler fell devastatingly short from what would have been a well-deserved century, but nonetheless, his contribution has all-but secured his side victory.
The Red Caps have the luxury of batting time as it enters the fourth day of the grand final. Wendouree will be in no rush at the crease – with every run and every over, their grasp on the premiership shield grows stronger.
Darley was hopeful of taking 10 Wendouree wickets on Saturday, but it could only manage five. As Sajith Rupasingha claimed Mat Begbie, the Red Caps were 3-42 and a key period of the match arose.
But as was the case last weekend, Wendouree had all the answers.
A 106-run partnership between Gavin Webb (55 runs) and Roscholler ensured there would be no costly collapse and as the crucial partnership surged the Red Caps into full control, it equally sapped the morale from the Lions camp in the process.
Heath Pyke (35 runs) and Liam Brady (6 runs) will return to the crease tomorrow from 1pm with the aim of continuing the side’s stranglehold over Darley.
Heath Pritchard again bowled superbly with minimal reward. The Lions captain-coach bowling 19 overs for figures of 0-21, including 12 maidens. While Rupasingha was the most expensive of the strike bowlers, but also had the most impact with 2-60 off his 15 overs.
