Riddell’s patchy form with the bat continues as it stares down the barrel of a second straight loss in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
After winning their first eight games, the Bombers have faltered.
They lost to third-placed Woodend and are on the back foot after day one of the top-of-the-table clash against Bacchus Marsh.
Bombers skipper Mick Allen said they weren’t performing with the bat as they had earlier in the season.
“We didn’t apply ourselves with the bat and you can’t do that against good sides,” Allen said. “We’ve tried a few different things that have worked until the last couple of rounds.
“Our bowling is our strength and our batting is something we are working on.”
On Saturday against the Bulls, the Bombers were bowled out for just 130. Daniel Fisk top-scored with 29 in an innings littered with starts but no good scores.
Allen said the total was never going to be enough.
“It wasn’t a good day,” he said. “Against a side like Bacchus Marsh you have to post at least 200 to be a chance.”
Madushanka Ekanayaka’s stunning form with the ball continued as he ran through the Bombers’ line-up, taking 7-40 from 21
overs.
He took bags of 10 and 11 in his previous two two-day matches.
Allen, who would have been a handy inclusion in the Bombers’ batting line-up, had to watch from the sidelines due to injury.
“It’s a bit of an ongoing back problem I’ve had for about 18 months,” he said.
“A few extra games last month took its toll. You don’t like missing matches like this, but it’s about getting it right for finals.”
One positive for the Bombers was the debut of Kyle Whitehurst.
Whitehurst, who turned 18 on Saturday, joined the club after moving across from Western Australia.
“He’s been over here since before Christmas,” Allen said.
“He was a sub fielder for the seconds last week and we threw him into the ones this week. He looks like a good player.”
The Bulls will resume at 0-32 on day two and Allen is hoping for a good response from his side.
The Bombers will remain in second spot no matter the outcome on Saturday.
A win in the final round against Sunbury United will ensure they get a home final.
In other matches, Gisborne is 2-6 in reply to Sunbury’s 136 and Diggers Rest Bulla is 4-38 chasing Lancefield’s 127.
Romsey looks in control at 1-40 chasing Rupertswood’s 154, while Warren Else made 154 in Woodend’s total of 347 against Sunbury United.
