Irymple v Workers Gol Gol
Henshilwood Oval
LAST WEEK: Irymple got the job done at the death against Coomealla Wentworth while Workers Gol Gol bounced back from a first-up loss to sweep aside Mildura East.
CHANGES: Jesse McGinty comes in for Workers Gol Gol, with Hayden Carroll out. Irymple are unchanged.
ONES TO WATCH: Shac Thomas exploded back into form with the bat, scoring 68 for Workers Gol Gol last week. Against the league’s best bowling attack he will have his work cut out, but it should be a great battle. Bailey Anderson’s star continues to rise for Irymple and he came up big when required last week. Back him in to keep threatening.
THE WORD: The clear match of the round and a rematch of last year’s semi-final and White Ball Cup final. Irymple lost the semi-final but beat Workers Gol Gol in the White Ball Cup, and in this match probably start favourites.
Coomealla Wentworth v Nichols Point
George Gordon Oval
LAST WEEK: Coomealla Wentworth fell just short of a second consecutive last-over win, against Irymple. Nichols Point had a stirring win over Mildura Settlers
CHANGES: The hosts are unchanged, while Nichols Point have lost Dean Fulco and Luke Coates to injury and have left out wicketkeeper Paul Bamford. Tate Hulland takes the gloves again, while David Hogarth and Anthony Morris are the other inclusions.
ONES TO WATCH: Leigh Thomson-Mathews has 150 runs from two starts on a smaller Nichols Point Reserve, so it will be interesting to see him on a larger ground like George Gordon Oval. His main nemesis will be Kobe Smith for the Blues, who hasn’t got the rewards yet this year in terms of wickets but has proven very hard to get away, conceding just 34 runs in two matches (16 overs).
THE WORD: Two sides that would be happy with their starts, with one 2-0 and the other perhaps unlucky not to be. If Nichols Point bat first the pressure will be on to put up a decent total with their bowling stocks depleted. This one could go either way.
Mildura East v Mildura West
Brian Weightman Oval
LAST WEEK: Mildura East had their total quickly chased down by Workers Gol Gol, while Mildura West brushed aside Merbein South.
CHANGES: For East, the experienced Brett Higgins returns, with Aaron Cordell out of the lineup. West have lost important senior batsman Brandon Dixon, with Ethan Hicks his replacement.
ONES TO WATCH: Over the years, two names have stood out for both of these clubs in Tom Vadlja (East) and Chris Williams (West). The pair top scored for their sides last weekend and – just like old times – it looks like it’s going to be on them again, particularly with the bat.
THE WORD: West, on paper, have the stronger side, but they also did this time last year when East knocked them off in a Twenty20 clash. The visitors should win this if they play at their best but if East can find a few early wickets – particularly the big one of Williams – then suddenly it’s game on.
Merbein South v Mildura Settlers
Chaffey Park
LAST WEEK: Merbein South had a big loss to Mildura West while Settlers looked to have had the game in hand against Nichols Point before suffering a dramatic collapse to fall short in the final over of the day.
CHANGES: Cam Kiel comes in to take the gloves for Settlers off Josh Coates. For Merbein South Ilario Cavallo and veteran Aaron Walder have been included, with Brennon Duffield and Jared Jensen out.
ONES TO WATCH: Luke Stanbrook has been the second best batsman in the competition across the opening two rounds and his 81 was nearly enough to get Settlers home last weekend. Against a weaker bowling attack he will be dangerous. For Merbein South, Seane Headland has been disciplined opening the batting for his side but needs to perhaps get the scoreboard ticking over a little more to get the Saints on the front foot.
THE WORD: After losing the almost unloseable last weekend Settlers will be smarting, which doesn’t bode well for Merbein South who are yet to get going. Settlers should win, easily.
