IT will be the shortest build-up to a grand final in Sunraysia cricket history this weekend.
Two cut-throat semi-finals will be played today, before the winners front up again tomorrow for game 1 of a three-game grand final series, that will conclude the following weekend.
In many ways, it is a fitting finale to what has been an extraordinary season of firsts for the SCA, which adopted an innovative approach to best cope with any challenges the COVID-19 pandemic threw its way.
The SCA season was extended from the traditional 14 rounds to 21, with no two-day cricket and the addition of more Twenty20 matches.
And while many cricketers in the region admit they would love to see a return to two-day cricket next season, the SCA’s move this summer has been an unequivocal success, as it has been able to ride out border closures and snap lockdowns with minimal impact.
Today, the business end of a fascinating season of white ball and coloured clothing cricket arrives, and the results of both matches could go either way.
Workers Gol Gol v Mildura Settlers
After last season’s grand final between Workers Gol Gol and Mildura Settlers was called off due to COVID, the two clubs this time meet in what promises to be a cracking semi-final at Alcheringa Oval.
Their clash in the final round of the season was poised perfectly when rain hit last weekend, with Workers Gol Gol 3/87 in pursuit of Settlers’ 179.
Significantly for Workers, gun batsman Wade Hancock returned to the team from a bad thumb injury which had threatened to end his season.
The joint winner of last season’s Innes Medal did not miss a beat, making a crisp 39 to sharpen himself up for the finals.
“Obviously having Wade back is massive for us,” coach Adam Thomson said.
“His thumb’s good and he was right to slot back into three, which just balances our batting order. He’s just so good to have around the group. The boys love him, so as well as being a star bat, he lifts the team as well.”
Thomson admitted today’s clash was “50-50” with both teams boasting the perfect one-day mix of power hitters and experienced batsmen who can control an innings.
“It’s tough with (Jason) Morrison and (Luke) Stanbrook because those guys hit the ball harder than anyone in the comp, so we have to be smart with our field and our bowlers need to deliver on our plans,” he said.
Workers have plenty of firepower of their own, most notably West Indian import Shac Thomas, who won his first Innes Medal on Wednesday night on the back of an ultra-consistent season.
Thomas also won the league batting aggregate with 558 runs, to go along with 23 wickets with his accurate medium pace.
But both teams have talent that runs deep, so aren’t overly reliant on their stars.
Thomson, who was in great form on 37 not out last weekend when rain hit, said today’s game could come down to a few key moments.
“It’s a strange one this weekend, it could be we are playing in a grand final or it could be our season is over,” Thomson said.
“But we simply can’t look further than just trying to win on Saturday.
“Obviously both teams didn’t get the chance to play in last year’s grand final, so we will both be hungry for it. I know our boys are definitely keen.”
Irymple v Coomealla Wentworth
IRYMPLE will start today’s semi-final as warm favourites, but not for a second is co-captain Dan Coghlan underestimating the danger of Coomealla Wentworth.
The Blues have been a great story all year under captain Justin Freeman, producing a string of upset results over the top teams to earn a finals spot.
They grabbed fourth in the last round in amazing circumstances, as they rolled bottom side Merbein South for 40 and knocked up the runs in under seven overs before the rain came.
That rain denied Mildura West a chance to chase down Nichols Point’s total in a match that was drawn, allowing Coomealla Wentworth to leapfrog their way into fourth.
But given the cricket they have played all year, a finals position was thoroughly deserved.
And they have the weapons to cause another upset today.
While not explosive, the Freeman-led bowling attack is disciplined and well supported by a hungry fielding group, and the batting line-up is also not reliant on any one player. While Luke Cullinan,
Mitchell Kemp and Bevan Wade are critical wickets, others such as Liam or Justin Freeman, or Tom Douglas, have also had match-winning moments throughout the summer.
“They have been consistent all year,” Coghlan said of the Blues. “They have been tough to play against week in, week out, so keeping on top of them with the ball is the key.
“If we can keep those runs down, then I’m confident we can build a few partnerships and set ourselves up for a win.”
Irymple’s bowling attack is widely regarded as the best in the comp, with a mixture of pace, swing and spin.
And on their home deck at Henshilwood Oval, very few teams have been able to score freely in the 40-over format all summer.
Coghlan finished runner-up in the Innes Medal and also won the bowling award on the back of a brilliant season of left-arm spin, where he rarely gets hit at more than two an over.
“We do have a good attack, but we also pride ourselves a lot on our fielding and keeping that pressure on,” he said.
Coghlan is also one of the keys with the bat, along with the hard-hitting Bryson Lush, who made 71 off 69 last round to hit the finals in top form.
Players to watch
Bryson Lush Irymple
THE joint winner of last season’s Innes Medal has backed it up with another brilliant summer and is the obvious batting threat at the top of the order. The powerful right-hander was striking them cleanly last Saturday, making 71 from 69 balls, and will look to take on the Coomealla Wentworth bowlers in the opening overs. He has clocked up 469 runs at an average of 29.3 this season and if
Justin Freeman’s bowling attack doesn’t remove him in the opening 10 overs, it could be good night to their season. Lush also plays a big role with the ball with his tight off-spinners. He has 21 wickets for the season, but importantly, both he and fellow spinner Dan Coghlan rarely bowl bad balls and have excellent economy rates. His last four overs are evidence of that, taking 1/3.
Bevan Wade Coomealla Wentworth
WHILE not yet in the top echelon of batsmen in the competition, Bevan Wade is on his way, and made some big steps with his consistency in the top and middle order for the Blues this season. His return of 342 runs at an average just under 30 speaks to the consistency he has shown, and importantly he also has the ability to put the foot on the accelerator when needed and score at a good clip. Wade’s bowling has also been a feature in Coomealla Wentworth’s well-rounded attack, taking 30 wickets for the season at a stunning average of 11.9. He also conceded under four runs an over, so if he can tie up Irymple in the middle overs, it could have a say in whether the Blues make it through to Sunday’s grand final.
Luke Stanbrook Mildura Settlers
THE power-hitting ability at the top of the order for Mildura Settlers is a feature of their game. And along with the explosive Jason Morrison, Stanbrook is as dangerous a player as there is in the competition if he gets his innings rolling. But the big right-hander isn’t just a blaster who can clear the ropes, he has the ability to work through the gears and play to the situation his team requires.
After a stunning start to the year, he had a quiet run, mainly through the Twenty20 games, but importantly he has been hitting them crisply in the lead up to finals. He scored 37 last weekend against today’s opponent, Workers Gol Gol, so they will know what is coming their way today. They must get him early.
Wade Hancock Workers Gol Gol
THE return of Wade Hancock from injury is critical to Workers Gol Gol’s premiership hopes. The joint winner of last season’s Innes Medal, the class right-hander has again enjoyed a productive summer at No.3, clocking up 435 runs at a more than healthy average of 36.25, and his thumb looked like it had recovered well from recent surgery as he piled on a quickfire 39 in his return game against Settlers last weekend. Along with this season’s Innes Medal winner Shac Thomas, Hancock is the key to the batting order. He can control the tempo and also bat through the innings, depending on the situation. He can cut loose if needed, or knock it around without any great risk and, like all good batsmen, just appears to have that bit of extra time at the crease than most.
