Workers Gol Gol 4/373 v Mildura East
Brian Weightman Oval
MILDURA East have the job ahead of them if they are to chase down Workers Gol Gol’s big first innings total of 4/373.
It isn’t an impossible task, but given Mildura East’s batting performances this season it looks too big a mountain to climb.
Chasing any score over 300 is a monumental task, even for the best batting sides, but when your team lacks batting depth, like East’s does, then it is more about surviving the day than chasing down the runs.
Every side wants to win, but sometimes getting the points isn’t always the most important thing.
For a young side like Mildura East, if they can bat out the day, then they will have had a small victory.
Josh Berry is sure to have emphasised this to his side and the importance of putting value on your wicket.
Berry has the chance to set the tone for the day when he goes out to open the batting.
If he can get off to a good start and occupy the crease through the early overs, it will set the standard for the rest of his side.
But he is sure to receive plenty of pressure from Workers’ strong attack who will be looking to knock over the visitors early to try and gain as many bonus points as possible.
Merbein South 171 v Coomealla Wentworth 0/28
Chaffey Park
MERBEIN South will be looking for early wickets when play resumes in their match against Coomealla Wentworth.
Defending 171, the Saints need to get an early breakthrough if they are to give themselves any chance of getting the points.
Coomealla Wentworth hold the upper hand at the moment, resuming at 0/28 with Mitchell Kemp, 20, and Matt Job, three, the not out batsmen.
If Job and Kemp can press on and build on their partnership then the Blues should be able to get the points.
Mildura Settlers 5/106 v Mildura West 103, 1/9
Mildura Senior College
MILDURA Settlers will be chasing outright points when play resumes in their match against Mildura West on Saturday.
Setts are in a strong position going into day two having already claimed first innings points.
The reigning premiers stamped their authority on the match on the opening day’s play, bundling the visitors out for 103 and then chasing down their target, before declaring at 5/106.
They then claimed an early wicket to have Wests’ 1/9 at the close of play and will be hoping to pick up where they left off when play resumes this afternoon.
An outright win would give the home side some breathing space at the top of the table and plenty of momentum as the season heads towards the Christmas break.
Right-arm orthodox bowler Richie Wyld will again need to play a big role if Setts are to claim Wests’ remaining nine wickets.
Wyld, who is showing no signs of slowing down, has been in great form for the ladder leaders with both bat and ball.
It’s Wyld’s ability to vary his pace and restrict the runs which puts so much pressure on opposition sides.
But he will need support from players like Brak Zambelli and veteran Mark Kerr.
With Luke Coates missing, Kerr and Zambelli have big support roles to play and will be aware if they are to run through Wests’ batting line-up and give themselves any chance of winning outright, they need to get Brandon Dixon and skipper Chris Williams cheaply.
Dixon and Williams can score big if they can get a start and Setts will be aware of this.
But if the home side can get through their opponents upper-order early, then they should be able to put themselves in a strong position to go for outright points.
Nichols Point 81 v Irymple 1/126
Nichols Point Reserve
IRYMPLE captain Jordan Payne will have spent plenty of time over the past week thinking about what to do when play resumes in his side’s match against Nichols Point.
In a surprising opening day, fourth-placed Nichols Point were dismissed by the Swallows for an embarrassing total of 81.
In reply, the visitors are 1/126 and the question Payne will be asking himself is whether to bat on or declare.
If he bats on, for how long? Or does he declare at the start of play and back his bowlers to rip through the Pointers for a second time?
Payne would no doubt have weighed up all options and whichever one he decides on, his side is still in a great position to claim outright points.
Nichols Point need to regroup and try and salvage something from what has been a disappointing match.
The Pointers went into this game full of expectations and for good reason.
They are enjoying one of their best starts to a season for years, but their performance on the opening day has shown they still have some work to do if they are to compete against the top teams in the competition.
On Saturday, captain Brad Thomas and his side will be looking to redeem themselves by avoiding an outright defeat, but it will take a much better effort than what they delivered last weekend.
Irymple will know Nichols Point are vulnerable and Payne is sure to drive home his side’s advantage.
If that means batting on or declaring, either way, all the pressure is on Nichols Point and the Swallows will make sure they capitalise on that.
