In fine form: Dandenong Panthers coach Warren Ayres blasted 91 runs against Carlton at Princes Park on Saturday.
By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Panthers amassed 8/281 and are poised to defeat Victorian Premier League ladder leader Carlton when their round seven match at Princes Park concludes on Saturday.
Panthers coach Warren Ayres won his sixth coin toss of the season and elected to bat in perfect conditions.
Dandenong openers Matthew Chasemore and Kumar Sarna did not let their coach down, scoring 21 and 30 respectively before Carlton snared its first three wickets in quick succession.
When Ricky Damiano failed to trouble the scorers, Dandenong was in the precarious position of 3/53.
But when Ayres strode to the crease at second drop, the game was set to swing in the Panthers’ favour.
Ayres blasted 91 runs, and for most of the innings dictated play to the Blues bowlers.
In what proved to a costly mistake for Carlton, Ayres was dropped by a mid-wicket fieldsman early in his innings.
Adrian Bull also played a magnificent knock, scoring 68 runs and providing Ayres with invaluable batting support.
Ayres said he was impressed with Bull’s innings.
“Adrian has been working hard for a long time and overcame a serious shoulder injury,” he said.
“To have him hitting 68 is great. He is really cementing himself in the first XI.”
The Dandenong tail wagged, and after 101 overs Carlton was facing 282 runs for victory.
Ayres faces another big decision before play resumes this weekend.
Should Dandenong bat on and aim for a total of 300, or put Carlton in and unleash the Panthers’ pace attack from the word go?
The Premier Cricket legend said the weather would play a big part in his decision.
“The conditions were great last weekend, but it’s meant to rain all this week, so a lot will depend on the surface,” he said.
“If the track is wet, there might be no point in batting on.”
Ladder leader Carlton is full of confidence and would fancy its chances of chasing down the required 282.
