Season’s cracking start

By Justin Robertson
IN the space of 48 hours the Panthers bolted to a dream start.
Two wins from the double-header weekend has the Dandenong side brimming with confidence as they head into their round-three clash against a strong Ringwood contingent.
Panthers captain Darren Dempsey knew his side was capable of such a season-opening feat.
“Yeah, if you can win a few early games it can really set up your season so it was the ideal start over the weekend,” he said.
“Last year we had the talent but for whatever reason just couldn’t perform on match days. This year I believe we have a pretty strong group and if we can perform each match, then we’ll definitely have a great year no doubt.”
Dandenong worked hard for their 42-run win against Casey at Casey Fields on Saturday and easily accounted for Essendon at Windy Hill with a 46-run victory making them one of four teams undefeated after two rounds.
Dempsey said his Panthers seemed to adjust to the new one-day format slightly better than his counterparts.
“It’s more taxing physically than the previous format. Having to get up at two stages to bat or field it’s harder, and mentally understanding it’s a 45-over match not two 20-20’s,” he said.
“That’s where we were better than our opposition, keeping wickets in hand for the second innings and, at the end of the day it proved to be crucial throughout the two matches.”
English import and opening bat Alex Hales made a promising start to his season blazing 26 (from 26 balls) against Casey and 66 (51). It was his batting effort against the Bombers that drew praise from the Panthers skipper Dempsey.
“Saturday he got us off to a good start. I think Sunday was the innings that would have given everyone an indication of what he is capable of – he batted really well,” he said.
“The only disappointing thing for me was that he threw his innings away at a time when he had them at his mercy. But he played some fantastic shots.”
Dempsey is expecting a tough encounter this week against a stingy Ringwood bowling attack at Shepley Oval but said if they can somehow pinch the four points it’ll help set up their season.
“They are a disciplined bowling and fielding side. We won’t be able to get away with misfields and drop catches at certain times so we’ll have to play well,” he said.
“Having said that, we are playing better than we were at the start of last year and they haven’t bowled to Alex before so if he can treat their opening bowlers with the same sort of contempt as he did on Sunday then they are probably not use to that.”