THE equation for Mildura Settlers is simple.Win today against Coomealla-Wentworth and they lock in yet another finals berth.
But skipper Braidyn Turner is under no illusions about just how difficult a task they face against the fourth-placed Coomealla-Wentworth, who he rates as the most underrated team in Sunraysia cricket.
“I told the boys just how big a weekend this,” he said yesterday. “If we get a win it cements third spot so it’s a massive game for us.”
With two rounds remaining, Settlers can still mathematically miss the finals if they lose today and against top side Workers Gol Gol in the last round, and fifth-placed Mildura West and Coomealla-Wentworth win their remaining games.
Coomealla-Wentworth also desperately needs the win today after opening the door to fourth spot with a loss to Mildura West last Saturday, making this match one of the most crucial of the season.
Turner said Mildura Settlers needed to find some runs at the top of the order, where some of their big guns have been lacking consistency for much of the summer.
“The top order has been a bit dry, particularly in the last few weeks,” he said. “Jason Morrison got a hundred a few weeks back, but that has been about it in terms of big scores, so we really need some good parterships at the top.”
Turner admitted only playing 40-over one day games, as well as T20 matches, this season, made it difficult for most top orders, who were under pressure to score from the outset.
“Obviously in two day cricket, you have different fields set, where cover may be open and there are more gaps, but in one day games, most teams start with a ring field and just try and restrict scoring,” he said.
“We haven’t adapted as well as we’d like, but that’s the challenge this season. Even last week against Irymple, we found it hard to score, they bowled extremely well to their fields, so we have to start thinking with our batting. Do we come down the wicket to mix up lengths, or look to maybe hit more over the top early?”
Turner said the majority of players were craving for a return to two-day cricket next season, but his team could only focus on the now, with finals set to be played in the shorter format.
He said Coomealla-Wentworth, in particular, played the 40-over game well under the leadership of Justin Freeman.
“They have been together as a group for three to four years, they have fun, they all get along, and they all know their roles extremely well,” Turner said of today’s opponent.
“They are very much underrated and they love playing under Juzzie (Freeman), who leads them with both the bat and ball, and have a great culture, so we have a lot of respect for them.
“It’s going to be a big game, no doubt.”
