A MUNGEAN masterclass and a special off-spin cameo has helped Wesley-Yambuk silence the doubters in notching the result of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's opening round.
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The Beavers crafted a near-perfect victory over Dennington on Saturday through an economical bowling performance which restricted the Dogs to just 141 from 45 overs.
Mungean was his vintage best - coughing up just 20 runs from nine overs - while former captain Joe Higgins' shift to off-spin yielded a game-high four wickets.
"We didn't know how the pitch would play so we threw them in," Mungean said.
"Our openers (Cam Pyke and Tom Bowman) were bowling really tight and really, we all bowled tight.
Our openers (Cam Pyke and Tom Bowman) were bowling really tight and really, we all bowled tight.
- Jason Mungean
"Their only batsman to really get away was (Telge) Pieris and he batted really well. But once we got him we reined it in and were able to chase the 140-odd. I think we set it up with our bowling and pressure in the field."
Mungean said Higgins, who has made his name as a medium-pacer, unveiled his talent for off-break bowling at training just "a couple of weeks ago".
"We have a fair few medium pacers in our attack so we got him to bowl spin," he said.
"I told him to see how they were coming out and they were coming out well so he kept it going. He had four wickets and could've had another two or three in missed chances."
Mungean and son Zavier - who crossed to Walter Oval from Brierly-Christ Church in the off-season - were also deadly with the bat. Jason was forced to open when regular Matthew Sinnott dislocated his shoulder in the first over the match in the field and didn't disappoint.
Jason (42 from 54 balls) and Zavier (45 from 62) were electric while first-drop Bevan Stokie (33 not out) and youngster Walker Owen (15 from 41) brought it home.
Mungean said bowling would be key to the Beavers' success in 2021-22.
"Our strongest area will probably be the bowling so if we can keep teams to a low enough total, we're confident we can chase it down," he said. Wesley-Yambuk will play Allansford-Panmure on Saturday.
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Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
