Waaia into decider after wet weather preliminary final win over Central Park-St Brendan’s

Waaia finished Cricket Shepparton's 2023-24 Haisman Shield season in first place with only one loss, before losing at home in the preliminary final to Mooroopna.

And as it turns out, it is an exact replica of the Tigers’ season after it ended in dour conditions on Sunday.

Heading into the preliminary final between Central Park-St Brendan’s and Waaia at Deakin Reserve at the weekend, the Tigers were the favourites after a dominant one-loss season.

At their home ground, Central Park-St Brendan’s was in ripping touch with its batters fresh off making plenty of runs and its bowlers smelling blood after claiming scalps for fun all summer.

Waaia was by no way to be underestimated, however, as the Bombers had their fair share of talented cricketers hoping to take their side to glory.

Central Park-St Brendan’s won the toss and elected to bat on a searing Shepparton Saturday.

As temperatures rocketed towards 40°C, the Tigers took a considered approach with the bat.

The home side was sitting well at 2-75 before a calamitous collapse occurred.

Captain Tyler Larkin departed for 37 before star Connor Hayes quickly followed suit for 27.

Waaia’s gun bowlers Jesse Trower (3-39 from 29 overs) and Liam Evans (4-22 from 12) started to reap the rewards of the pressure they had built.

The Tigers — turned cubs — crumbled under the Bombers’ heat as the wickets quickly tumbled.

Central Park-St Brendan’s was bowled out for 106, leaving the door wide open for a Waaia victory.

In response, the Tigers’ bowlers lifted and had the Bombers at 5-51 when stumps were called, with the match evenly poised.

Overcast conditions and a slow drizzle of rain threatened to derail the contest at the start of day two.

However, the two teams persevered and play started on time.

Waaia resumed at the crease requiring 56 runs to book a spot in the decider.

Central Park-St Brendan’s got off to an uncharacteristically sloppy start.

Balls kept sliding down the leg side and Waaia’s Mitch Cleeland (49 runs off 65 balls) and Brenton Low (32 off 82) were more than happy to oblige with a casual flick off the pads.

In the space of three overs, the Bombers added 21 runs to their total to sit at 5-72 as Larkin turned his faith to spinner Jarrod Wakeling (5-45 from 14.4).

The Waaia contingent kept its praise loud and vocal after each ball as it willed its veterans to victory.

With 10 runs needed for the win and a rampaging Cleeland ready to lead his side to the victory, the steady drizzle became a heavy stream as the heavens opened up.

As the covers came onto the field, a question lingered as to whether this break could potentially grant the Tigers a lifeline, or perhaps curse them with a more drawn-out death.

As play resumed an hour later, it didn’t take long for the Bombers to collect the runs and soar into this weekend’s Haisman Shield grand final.