Merbein South v Irymple
Chaffey Park
LAST TIME OUT: Merbein South were well beaten by Workers Gol Gol while Irymple got the job done in clinical fashion against Nichols Point
CHANGES: Dylan Vertigan and Cam Holland are out for Merbein South, but they have a couple of big ins via captain Matt O’Connor and explosive batsman Josh Carmichael. For Irymple, teenaged leggie Jack Baird earns his debut, with Billy Phelan out.
ONES TO WATCH: Carmichael is a major bonus for a Merbein South side that has struggled for runs. He likes to play his shots and will relish the field being up early if he bats at the top. For Irymple, reigning Innes medalist Bryson Lush has had a couple of starts but will be keen to press on and convert against a bowling attack perhaps not the strongest.
THE WORD Irymple are heavy favourites and should win easily. Merbein South will be hoping to be competitive, and an upset would be a huge boost – but it appears unlikely.
Nichols Point v Mildura East
Nichols Point Reserve
LAST TIME OUT: Nichols Point were hammered by Irymple for a second disappointing defeat in a row, while East had a stirring win over Coomealla Wentworth.
CHANGES: Nichols Point have lost paceman Matt Boyd with a knee injury, while top-order batsman Tyson Giles is unavailable and Ben McDonald goes back to the twos. Will Liddle and Nash Richman come in for their first games of the season and Ant Morris also earns a promotion. For East, Campbell Vadlja returns to Adelaide after his match-winning knock against Coomealla Wentworth two weeks ago, with Tom Dowling coming up from the seconds.
ONES TO WATCH: Leigh Thomson-Mathews started the year on fire for the Point but his past two innings didn’t quite stack up to that. Back at the Point he may be able to get going again. East paceman Jayden Hunt will be a big factor for his side and if he can make early inroads the Nichols Point batting line-up has been vulnerable the past two games.
THE WORD: Nichols Point need the win here after two disappointing results before last week’s heat rule abandonment. If batsmen such as Thomson-Mathews, skipper Brad Thomas and coach Shaun Mathews get going it should go a long way towards victory, but East will be confident after a win last time out.
Coomealla Wentworth v Mildura Settlers
McLeod Oval
LAST TIME OUT: Settlers had a big win over Mildura West while Coomealla Wentworth were defeated by Mildura East.
CHANGES: Will Rodgers comes in for Paddy Keogh for Settlers, while Coomealla Wentworth will be without skipper Justin Freeman and Matt George. Cam Douglass and Jake Wright come in, with this Douglass’ maiden appearance for the club in First Division after last playing the grade in 2013/14 for Settlers.
ONES TO WATCH: Settlers’ Luke Stanbrook is an early favourite for the Innes Medal and has been huge with the bat. For Coomealla Wentworth, Liam Freeman will be important with the ball in the absence of his brother.
THE WORD: Settlers’ batting line-up looks as imposing as ever, especially if Stanbrook can get big runs again and Jason Morrison fires against the club he once led. On what is traditionally a good batting deck they should get the job done.
