Irymple v Nichols Point
Henshilwood Oval 12.30pm
NICHOLS Point can announce themselves as serious premiership contenders with a win over Irymple this afternoon at Henshilwood Oval.
After three rounds, the Pointers and Irymple remain the only undefeated teams in the competition.
It has been the club’s best start since rejoining the First Division a few years ago, but coach Shaun Mathews knows it is important to continue to build the momentum.
“We have a tough day playing the previous two premiers in Irymple and Setts, but the boys are really excited for the challenge,” Mathews said.
“Irymple are a great bowling and fielding unit – we will need to bat well.”
In previous years Nichols Point have relied heavily on star all-rounder Kaushik Aphale and the club’s other international player, Glen Bridson, but the return of Daniel Chapman and the appointment of Mathews as coach and Brad Thomas as captain has given the side a new look this season.
Thomas and Mathews, who were recruited from Mildura East, are among the best batsmen in the SCA.
Mathews is also a handy bowler and adds another dimension to the Pointers’ attack.
But it is the experience these two bring which has been the biggest addition for Nichols Point.
It is impossible to put “old heads” on young shoulders and, while Nichols Point have had plenty of talent in their ranks in the past, they have lacked leadership.
They now have that in spades with Chapman, Mathews, Thomas, Bridson and Aphale all hardened competitors.
This experience is why they will be going into this game knowing they have to do everything well if they are going to get the points.
Irymple have a fair bit to prove after a disappointing finals campaign last season.
Personnel-wise they are very similar to the side which upset Mildura Settlers in the grand final two years ago
Jordan Payne continues to lead the way with the bat and Chase Stone is their main strike bowler.
But like all good sides the Swallows do not rely on just one or two players, they have great depth and are able to put pressure on the opposition whether in the field or batting.
With little separating these two teams talent-wise, this game should be an enthralling battle.
Mildura Settlers v Mildura West
Mildura Senior College 4pm
REIGNING premiers Mildura Settlers host Mildura West to complete round 4 of SCA cricket.
Setts have had another strong start, winning two of their first three matches and with key personnel still to return will only get stronger as the season progresses.
The return of Mark Cleary and the surprise inclusion of John Pratt has added further depth to the Setts line-up.
Cleary has had little trouble finding his groove again and while he is now playing mainly as a batsman, his experience and leadership on the field goes without saying.
But Pratt is perhaps the biggest bonus and adds further depth to the strongest batting side in the SCA.
He has shown his class already in his first three outings with the bat and, given he had not played for six years before the start of this season, he will only get better.
Reigning Innes Medal winner Jason Morrison was unusually quiet last weekend, but he rarely fails three rounds in a row, which is not a good sign for Mildura West, who are looking for their first win.
West have shown some good signs in their early games despite not getting the points and with a little bit more luck they could push Setts, but they will need all their big names firing if they are to get the job done.
Workers Gol Gol v Irymple
Alcheringa Oval at 4pm
ROUND five of the Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) competition will provide a small insight into who the main contenders this season are going to be with the four top sides clashing this afternoon.
Workers Gol Gol are at home to Irymple while Mildura Settlers host Nichols Point at Mildura Senior College.
The match between ladder leaders Irymple and last season’s runners-up Workers Gol Gol should be full of action.
Twenty20 cricket is always fast paced, but with both sides boasting some big hitters there should be plenty of runs scored.
Workers have arguably one of the best white ball players in the competition in Shac Thomas.
If the big-hitting opener can get going then he should be able to put Workers in a strong position.
But the great thing about having depth is you are never reliant on just one player.
Workers bat deep into their order and while Thomas is an important player he has plenty of support from the likes of Wade Hancock and skipper Adam Thomson.
The Swallows will be hoping for runs from skipper Jordan Payne and classy all-rounder Dan Coghlan, while Chase Stone will have the big job with the ball.
Merbein South v Mildura West
Chaffey Park at 4pm
MERBEIN South and Mildura West will be looking to kick-start their seasons when they clash at Chaffey Park.
It has been another slow start for the two sides but the signs have been positive and with a bit more luck they could have each been on the winner’s board.
The Saints have plenty of incentive with Shane Trinick being honoured after the match with a celebration for reaching his 300th match on Friday night in round four.
Trinick will again be a key player and his experience and competitive spirit sets a great example for his teammates.
But Mildura West will be out to spoil the party and they have the players to do it.
Chris Williams and Brandon Dixon are both class players and if they can perform with bat and ball then this should be a great contest.
Coomealla Wentworth v Mildura East
Coomealla at 4pm
MILDURA East will be hoping to continue their winning form against Coomealla Wentworth.
East have had a good start and despite many people predicting a long season for the young side they have proven critics wrong with some strong performances in the early rounds.
The youthful enthusiasm of Mildura East has proven an asset in the one day and Twenty20 matches so far and they will be hoping this can again give them an edge.
Mildura Settlers v Nichols Point
Mildura Senior College at 4pm
NICHOLS Point face their second big test of the day when they take on reigning premiers Mildura Settlers.
The Pointers have Irymple in the earlier game today and depending on how they go in that, they could find themselves clear leaders at the top of the table if they can knock over Setts.
Either way rounds four and five will provide some insight to just how much the Pointers have improved in the off-season.
It’s well documented the additions they have made to their playing stocks and they proved by defeating Workers Gol Gol last weekend that they are going to be far more competitive than in previous years.
Setts, although with one loss against their name, are still considered by most to be the yard stick and for good reason.
They have been the most consistent side in the SCA first division for many years and – if it is possible – look even stronger this season with the addition of some new faces and the return of some old ones.
