FOR the second consecutive Plan B Regional Bash match the Orana Outlaws fast bowling unit was outstanding in their win over South Coast Crew on Friday night, and Thunder Conference ambassador Lenny Pascoe was left thoroughly impressed.
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The Outlaws defeated the Crew by five wickets at No. 1 Oval on Friday night with quicks Ben Strachan, Jacob McNaught and Ben Patterson all playing key roles as the visitors were rolled for just 80.
Former Australian fast bowler Pascoe, who was on hand to watch again after first seeing the Outlaws in their round one win over the Central West Wranglers, was particularly impressed by Strachan.
The CYMS quick, who went on to be named man of the match, regularly drives from beyond Bourke to play and that dedication amazed Pascoe as much as his feats with the ball.
"The fast bowler who drove 400km to play cricket, a big lump of a lad and I looked at his action and I thought in his younger days he would have been a tearaway quick, but to drive that far and be tired and then bowl like he did was great," Pascoe said.
"There's also McNaught, who bowls with a lot of aggression and maybe he just needs a little bit more direction in the future but that's the way you are as a young bowler.
"You've got to have that fire in the belly and that devil in you and he's got that and hit the keeper's gloves hard, and he might have been a bit wayward but that's what you expect from young bowlers."
One thing which left Outlaws captain Mitch Bower pleased after the match was the fact fellow quick James O'Brien wasn't even needed, showing how much depth is in the squad.
That depth is likely to be needed next up when Outlaws meet the Albury-based Border Bullets in the semi-final at the SCG on December 6.
The Bullets are led by former Australian test all-rounder Andrew McDonald, who scored 42 in his side's round two win over the Wagga Wagga Sloggers.
Pascoe, who is desperate to see one of the Thunder Conference sides go on and win the final rather than seeing Sixers Conference ambassador Doug Walters celebrate, said McDonald will be key to the match but the Outlaws will also be boosted with marquee player Nathan Pilon set to return for the clash.
"McDonald is a cagey player and will score what's required and take wickets when required but the Orana boys have got Pilon coming back, and with those two very seasoned players and the enthusiasm of the younger guys and the smartness of the more experienced guys I think it will be an excellent clash," he said, before laughing about his friendly rivalry with Walters.
"But at the end of the day we've got to beat Doug Walters' Sixers and we've got a $20 bet on it and I don't like to bet on losers."
