Mildura Settlers v Workers Gol Gol
Mildura Senior College
ADAPTABILITY has been the key to success this season for Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) teams.
Format changes have forced sides outside their comfort zones and created an unpredictable playing environment.
Today clubs will again need to show flexibility as they face another challenge – a one-day match with a twist.
Each side will still receive 40 overs, but there will be no fielding or bowling restrictions.
The concept has been met with some criticism from clubs, but while there will always be detractors, it is sure to test the depth of sides.
Bowling will be critical under the new rules and Mildura Settlers and Workers Gol Gol are sides who will benefit from the format change.
Both teams have plenty of options with the ball and whoever performs best in this area could hold sway in their grand final replay today at Mildura Senior College.
Setts are still missing some of their big names, but with Luke Coates spearheading their attack they look dangerous, particularly with no restriction on the number of overs he can bowl.
Coates will be looking for support from Brak Zambelli and veteran off-spinner Richie Wyld.
For Workers, Tony Hickey, Aiden Calarco and Nick Jensen give skipper Adam Thomson plenty of options with the ball, while with the bat Shac Thomas and Wade Hancock are enjoying good seasons and it could be these two who give the visitors the edge.
Mildura East v Merbein South
City Oval
WITH seven rounds completed, Mildura East and Merbein South find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table.
Neither side has been able to get their season going despite East recording two wins and the Saints one.
But today presents both sides with a great opportunity to get back on the winners’ board when they clash at City Oval.
For Mildura East, skipper Josh Berry will again be looking to his young talent of Charlie Berry and Jayden Hunt to carry the brunt of the workload while for the Saints it will be their veterans Shane Trinick and Ethan Gray who they will be expecting big efforts from.
Gray and Trinick have been in outstanding form this season and if they can again deliver the Saints might be able to get their second win for the year in what should be an entertaining match.
Mildura West v Irymple
John Hall Oval
MILDURA West have the chance to move into the top four with a win over ladder leaders Irymple at John Hall Oval.
With last week being washed out and the format changed from a two-day to a one-day match, this weekend’s game looks an even contest, but Mildura West will need to be at their best if they are to get the points.
Westies are still very reliant on skipper Chris Williams and while he rarely lets them down, it is a big burden to carry each week.
Williams will be hoping improving youngsters Ben Hallam and Luke Hickey can provide the support he needs if his side is to get across the line.
But the Swallows are a formidable outfit and with players like Chase Stone, Dan Coghlan and Jordan Payne they might have a little bit too much depth.
Nichols Point v Coomealla Wentworth
Nichols Point
A DEPLETED Nichols Point go into today’s match against Coomealla Wentworth with the odds stacked against them.
The Pointers will be missing three of their stars – Dan Chapman, Shaun Mathews and Kaushik Aphale – which will put plenty of pressure on skipper Brad Thomas and classy upper-order batsman Glen Bridson.
Nichols Point need to win to consolidate their position in the top four, but it will be a tough ask with Coomealla Wentworth’s strong bowling attack a real plus with the change in format.
The Blues have one of the better attacks in the SCA and if they can get Bridson and Thomas cheaply, the odds will be firmly in their favour.
