ALL-ROUNDER Jayden Brooks’ solid form has secured him a regular spot in Gol Gol’s First Division team in the Sunraysia Cricket Association.
The 24-year-old has become an integral member of a new-look Gol Gol bowling unit and has been an opening batting partner for Shacaya Thomas.
After making his first division debut in the 2015/16 season, he had played 11 games up until this season, in which he has played six consecutive games.
He has taken 12 wickets for the campaign, equal sixth in the competition, and the second most for Gol Gol behind Luke Hickey (18) and just ahead of Nick Jensen (11).
While he has performed well this season, Brooks said it was likely last season where he improved the most, leading the second division wicket-taking with 28 scalps.
“It’s been really exciting,” he said.
“I’ve played a few games over the last few years in the Ones but I never really felt like I had that spot nailed down, whereas this time it’s felt like I have my position within the team.
“I felt I improved a fair bit in my fitness last year but this year I’m feeling fitter again and I think that’s helped with my bowling.
“Last year was where I got better as a bowler and finding that consistent line and length, which I feel is my strength.”
Brooks finished with a season-best 4/24 last week against Mildura Settlers as Gol Gol rolled their old rivals for 137. Resuming on February 12 at 1/53 with Thomas (32) and Wade Hancock (15) at the crease, they need another 85 runs for an important two-day victory in the lead-up to finals.
“Those guys (Shac and Wade) are obviously class players and our batting line-up goes pretty deep,” Brooks said.
“Getting Nick Jensen back in this week is handy too as he’s a really good middle order batsman. We can definitely get the runs required but it won’t be easy and there’s still hard work to be done to get there.”
The all-rounder suggested the bowling unit especially has performed better as the season has gone on.
“Especially in the last two games where Riley Burns has come in, he and Luke I think have bowled the best opening spells of the year, and then when I come in first or second change it definitely makes my job much easier after the pressure they have put on,” he said.
“To also have a number of other guys who can all take wickets, it’s a strong bowling unit.
“I definitely feel like we’re building. Every team has felt it with COVID this year and not having your best team available every week, but it feels like we’re getting more consistent, especially with our bowling.”
Brooks said he enjoys opening the batting at any level, but admitted it has been a challenge to do in First Division.
“My main goal from here is to nail down that position and provide a solid platform for the rest of the innings,” he said.
“To open with Shac and have guys like Wade and ‘Thommo’ (coach Adam Thomson) coming afterwards, it makes it more exciting to get that opportunity. There’s no better place to watch these guys bat from than the other end of the pitch.”
Brooks has already been dismissed this innings by Brayden Wood for three.
Play resumes on February 12 at 1pm at Mildura Senior College.
MERBEIN SOUTH v IRYMPLE
FOLLOWING recruit Mark East’s maiden SCA century, Merbein South find themselves in a solid position against top of the table Irymple at Chaffey Park.
East’s outstanding knock of 114, which included consecutive sixes to reach triple figures, helped the Saints to 202 all out, no mean feat against a strong Swallows bowling attack.
Irymple skipper Mark Thomson also picked up 6/47, his best figures since joining the club in the 2017/18 season.
The Swallows have already faced 11 overs and played out time without a loss of wicket, currently 0/11 with Jed Connelly (five) and Bryson Lush (three) at the crease.
A victory for the home side would certainly make life interesting in the run home to finals but if the ladder leaders can chase down the 203 run target, it just about counts the Saints out of finals action.
Nick Giofre has been in solid form for Irymple with scores of 26 and 58 and will play an important role in the chase, while Robbie Roelofs, Tony Trinnick and Jarrod Forrester will be important with the ball.
MILDURA WEST v MILDURA EAST
THE contest between Mildura West and Mildura East remains well in the balance, however the latter side will need to reach their highest score of the season for victory.
A cracking Chris Williams century helped West to 179, with the Englishman being the last man out for 103.
East veteran Tom Vadlja led the bowling with 7/59, the best bowling innings for the seven-time Innes Medal winner in well over a decade.
Vadlja (three) and Blake Meyers (one) will return to the crease on February 12 with East at 0/4 after two overs.
West’s bowling strength seems to be tying batsmen down, with Aaron Feroz and Shane Driscoll doing so in a big way against Nichols Point last round, going at a run rate of one or less.
With West well in the fight to secure finals and contests against Gol Gol and Mildura Settlers to come, victory will be important to them, while East will be out to play spoilers.
COOMEALLA WENTWORTH v NICHOLS POINT
COOMEALLA Wentworth already have first innings points against Nichols Point, but an outright victory could thrust them right into the top four.
The Blues are currently fifth on the table but are less than a point adrift of West and Setts, and extra points are invaluable in the run to finals.
The Pointers were all out for 80 at George Gordon Oval last week, with last year’s grand finalists reaching the mark with eight wickets in hand.
The Blues are currently 2/82 with skipper Matt Job (30) and Bevan Wade (25) at the crease. It remains to be seen if Job will make an early declaration against the young Pointers outfit.
Point skipper Brad Thomas made 37 last week and if they bat again, he will play another important role.
The Point are known for giving youngsters an opportunity, and in Lewis Dichiera, Brodie Ryan and Oliver Murray they have three under-16s in the first division side.
