IN a potential final preview, Mildura Settlers will host Gol Gol at Mildura Senior College in round 11 of the Sunraysia Cricket Association.
With just three rounds before finals, these sides currently sit fourth and third respectively and with Mildura West knocking on the door of the four, a win in this contest will be important.
Setts will have to do so without Jason Morrison, with the master blaster still battling a calf strain suffered against Coomealla Wentworth three weeks ago.
He made a surprising cameo with the bat last week as Setts defeated Merbein South, but the man himself admitted he was unlikely to play against Gol Gol.
“I’d strained my calf but luckily it wasn’t too severe,” he said.
“It’s enough that I’ll be out for a couple of weeks but hopefully I’ll be back in for the next game.
“I was more there just in case last week and while we got to the total early enough, as it turned out, we needed a couple of extra runs late on to get some bonus points.
“I definitely wasn’t running too far. I was lucky to get a couple out of the screws but moving between wickets wasn’t happening too much.”
With the two sides boasting some of the deepest batting and bowling line ups in the competition, Morrison said he is expecting a tough contest across the next two weeks.
“It will be a good test for both teams as we’re both strong batting line-ups and have plenty of good bowlers,” he said.
“I think it will come down to who can build the stronger batting partnerships.
“Batting wise, we’ve been doing well. When a couple of guys fail, others will start getting runs. I guess it’s a testament to how deep we bat if we’ve got Richie Wyld, Mark Cleary and Andrew Petrie batting six, seven and eight.”
Luke Stanbrook was the latest to stand up with a season-high 87 against the Saints.
With players like Seamus Keogh and Cameron Kiel taking opportunities to play in Melbourne and Adelaide respectively, youngsters like Cooper Aldridge, Monty Maloney and Liam Goss have all been given extended opportunities in the first XI.
“Cooper has come in and been taking wickets for fun so far,” Morrison said.
“I think in his first game he took four for not many and then another three the next game.
“Liam has showed a bit with the bat and ball and while we would have liked Monty to maybe spend a bit more time at the crease, as a young guy in the top order he’s been doing really well so far.”
Action starts 1pm today at Mildura Senior College.
Coomealla Wentworth v Nichols Point
AFTER an important victory over the previously undefeated Irymple last week, Coomealla Wentworth suddenly find themselves well in and around the top four as a result of three consecutive victories.
A fourth in a row against Nichols Point would go a long way towards securing a finals berth, while also keeping the Pointers at arm’s length from the top four.
While batting had been the biggest concern for the Blues, a season-high team score of 273 helped them topple the Swallows, with every batsman bar one reaching double figures, albeit with just Darby McLean passing 50.
The bowling success was also spread across the board with all seven taking at least one wicket, a sign of a strong unit.
At times, the Pointers looked to have Mildura West in trouble last round but just couldn’t get across the line despite a solid all-round game from coach Shaun Mathews (41 and 5-57).
At George Gordon Oval, the Blues will enter as strong favourites, although the visitors’ bowling attack could put the home side on the back foot early.
Mildura West v Mildura East
WITH the race for the top four so tight, Mildura West will be keen to keep up with the competitors when they face Mildura East.
Despite the early loss of wickets, and the potential for last week’s rainfall to affect the ground surface, West were able to secure the victory over Nichols Point through the batting of Greg Lewis, as well as Shane Driscoll, Chris Williams and Brandon Dixon.
English spinner Aaron Feroz has immediately showed his talent by claiming 5/29 from an economic 27.5 overs.
While East boast a mostly younger squad, going on the attack might send a strong message because, especially in 80 over cricket, West like to wear the opposition down by turning the screws on the run rate.
Being dismissed for 53 against Gol Gol last week would have hurt the young side, but with recruit Connor Robinson finding some form and Josh Berry’s ability to form partnerships, they still have plenty of upside.
Merbein South v Irymple
SITTING inside the top four at the Christmas break, Merbein South have been unable to capitalise on their early season although they still remain just a win outside the top four.
Facing an Irymple side coming off their first loss of the season, however, was not what the doctor ordered, as the Swallows will be smarting.
The Saints will be happy with the form of off-season recruit Mark East, who has half-centuries in consecutive innings, while Robbie Roelofs has become a solid wicket taker after claiming four against Settlers, taking him to 11 for the season and inside the top 10 in the competition.
Swallows ‘keeper Nick Giofre looks to have found some form with the bat after scoring 58 against the Blues, while Jed Connelly (42 not out) and Chase Stone (62 not out) surprised a few with solid lower order runs.
After another three scalps last game, recruit Luke Collett has also made his way inside the top wicket takers in the competition.
