HAVING been set 152 for victory, Mildura East will resume at 4/20 after facing 17 overs last week.
While coach Josh Berry was impressed with his side’s performance to dismiss one of the SCA’s better sides in less than 40 overs, he admitted some frustration to losing early wickets.
Opening bowler Surendra Prajapat impressed at 15 years old in just his fourth First Division match with 4/36, while Mukesh Sharma and Tom Vadlja each grabbed three wickets. If East bowl again, Vadlja will be on a hat-trick with his first delivery.
“To bowl one of the premier sides in the competition out in under 40 overs was something I was really impressed with, and our fielding was really good as well, so they were two things to tick off,” Berry said.
“The other thing is our batting, which we probably let them get back into the game. We lost more wickets than we would have liked but the big thing for us is we can bat all the way down to No.11.
“Being a two-day game we have the 80 overs to bat so if we can get one or two good partnerships away we’ll be in a good position.
“There’s no panic, we’ve still got some quality batsmen in the sheds.”
Maninderjit Singh and Aaron Cordell are the not out batsmen, while paceman Chase Stone grabbed 2/7 from his eight overs.
Irymple will be happy to have already sent Berry, Vadlja and Blake Meyers back to the sheds and while conditions might suit pace more, spin options Jordan Payne and Dave Filippi could prove handy.
Mildura Settlers v Nichols Point
THE Pointers have given themselves a chance against the three-time reigning premiers with their 149 last week, but it will take a strong bowling performance against one of the deepest batting orders to spring a surprise.
The yin and yang of young gun Cameron Kiel and Jason Morrison at the top of the order is followed by skipper Braidyn Turner, then potentially the returning veteran duo of Andrew Petrie and Mark Cleary.
Three-time Innes Medal winner Richie Wyld could bat as low as No.7, a testament to their depth.
Coach and all-rounder Shaun Mathews already played an important role for the visitors with his 44, and he will be crucial with the ball as well. Daniel Chapman, Rakii Woetai and Jack Norton will also have important roles to play.
It was an even team bowling performance across the board for Setts last week, with Brayden Wood (2/13), Wyld (2/21) and Morrison (2/33) each taking multiple scalps.
Setts are in pole position to get the win on the board but a strong bowling performance by the Pointers could have a big say in the result.
Mildura West v Coomealla Wentworth
The home side will be confident of chasing down the target of 106 set by Coomealla Wentworth, with West already 1/27 after nine overs.
Following four wickets with his spinners, star Chris Williams is not out on 13 and coach Davison Mbindi is on 9.
Mbindi said after last week’s performance, when 21-year-old debutant Harry O’Brien starred with 4/15, he believes his side are in a good position.
“We’re feeling pretty confident having got them out for a score we think we can chase down, which is one of the reasons we sent them in,” he said.
“We do have a good bowling unit that complements everyone and I definitely think it’s one to be reckoned with this year.
“As batters now we can’t let the guys down after the hard work our bowlers put in. We’re confident we can get that win and take the momentum forward.”
The Blues, however, proved last season that they have a bowling attack that’s up there with the best in the competition.
Coach Liam Freeman has already sent Sean Hawking back to the pavilion, while Bevan Wade, Justin Freeman and Tanner Begg can all take wickets.
