Mildura Settlers v Workers Gol Gol
Mildura Senior College
GRAND final replays are often overrated.
Plenty can change from one season to the next.
Players come and go and maintaining sustained success can be challenging.
Not for Workers Gol Gol and Mildura Settlers – they have picked up where they left off last season.
The grand finalists from 2018-19 are again setting the pace and after seven rounds are second and third respectively on the competition ladder.
Workers regained some redemption in round 1 for last season’s grand final loss, when they proved too strong for the reigning premiers under lights at Alcheringa Oval.
But with matches returning to the traditional two-day format on Saturday, this will be a test of both sides depth.
Setts have made three changes to last weekend’s Twenty20 side that split the ledger.
Richie Wyld, Tarque Williamson and Luke Stanbrook return, absent last round because of Jason Morrison’s wedding.
Morrison and Mark Cleary will again be missing, but the inclusion of these three gives Setts a much more balanced and experienced line-up.
Workers are ticking along nicely with Wade Hancock in great form at the top of the order and Shac Thomas and Adam Thomson providing good support.
If these three can get among the runs, they might just have the edge.
Mildura West v Irymple
John Hall Oval
IRYMPLE will be looking for a win to maintain their spot at the top of the ladder when they take on Mildura West at John Hall Oval.
West also have plenty to play for after back-to-back wins last Saturday put them within reach of fourth-placed Nichols Point.
The Swallows’ record is six and one after seven rounds, one game clear at the head of the table and again looking series contenders.
Saturday’s side looks one of Irymple’s strongest. Dan Coghlan returns after missing last weekend and he adds batting and bowling options for skipper Jordan Payne, who will be a key player at the top of the order for the visitors.
Paceman Chase Stone will also have an important role to play, needing to get early breakthroughs to expose West’s middle-order.
Skipper Chris Williams, improving youngster Ben Hallam and Will Parsons are key players for Mildura West.
Brandon Dixon is another who will need to fire if the home side is to make it three wins in a row.
Nichols Point v Coomealla Wentworth
Nichols Point
NICHOLS Point face a danger game this weekend when they take on Coomealla Wentworth.
The Blues kick-started their season last weekend, claiming the big scalp of second-placed Workers Gol Gol.
They will be hoping to bring the same form on Saturday against a Nichols Point side that is missing two of their stars, Kaushik Aphale and Daniel Chapman.
Chapman’s absence leaves the Pointers’ pace attack light on, while Aphale has proven over the past few seasons his ability with both bat and ball.
But, while this pair will be missed, the Pointers still look to have enough firepower to get over the line.
Mildura East v Merbein South
City Oval
MERBEIN South have the chance to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder with a win over Mildura East on Saturday.
The Saints have managed just one win from the opening seven rounds, while East have not fared much better with only two.
Another loss this round for either side would make it very difficult to stay in touch with the leading contenders in the competition.
East have placed their faith in youth again this season and, while there have been plenty of positives coming out of the early rounds, they know they still have plenty of work to do.
Merbein South are again very reliant on the old firm of Shane Trinick and Ethan Gray.
Trinick, who is in the twilight of his career, is enjoying an outstanding season and leads the SCA player of the year award, while Gray has been solid with the bat.
The form of Hamim Miah has been one positive for the Saints and they will be hoping he can again get among the runs.
