NEITHER Mildura Settlers nor Mildura East were able to get a result in the opening round of the Sunraysia Cricket Association, with inclement weather playing a role, leaving a few questions for both sides today at Mildura Senior College.
After a delayed start to the Round 7 contest, again due to a washout, this, like all contests, will be played under one-day rules with each side facing 40 overs.
Reigning premiers Setts were strong across the board with the ball in their opening contest, dismissing Nichols Point for 149, with Jason Morrison, Brayden Wood and Richie Wyld each taking two wickets.
Their batters did not get a chance to strut their stuff, but certainly the return of veterans Mark Cleary and Andrew Petrie to the crease would be worth the watch.
It’s such a deep batting line-up still, with Cam Kiel and Morrison at the top, and skipper Braidyn Turner and Wyld also capable of big scores.
East coach Josh Berry was impressed with his side’s bowling performance against Irymple, but the early loss of wickets in their abandoned batting innings could be a cause for concern.
Surendra Prajapat, who is just 15 years-old, put in a star making performance with 4/36 in his fourth game of First Division cricket, while Tom Vadlja and Mukesh Sharma each took three wickets.
East were 4/20 after 17 overs when the game was called a draw, but will be hoping more runs will come, especially for Tyson Giles who has returned to the cub from Nichols Point.Nichols Point v Gol Gol
THE new turf pitches installed at Nichols Point Reserve should be ready to go as the Pointers host Gol Gol.
The home side weren’t able to garner a result in game one against Mildura Settlers due to the rain interference, but scored 149 in their batting innings in tough conditions at Mildura Senior College.
Gol Gol were one of two teams to get a win on the board after recording victory over Merbein South, albeit a 40-over affair after week one was abandoned following a COVID case in the Saints’ camp.
Gol Gol coach Adam Thomson said he was happy with the nine-wicket win first up.
“In your first game of the year you never know how it’s going to go but we were really happy with the performance,” he said.
“It’s hard to tell where we sit overall as we’re a much younger side than we’ve been the last few years, so we’ll just give ourselves every opportunity in the games before Christmas.
“Because we’ve gotten a lot younger I think our fielding seemed to be a lot better. Our catching was good and we were able to save a few more runs in there.”
Zac Tankard and Vaughan McClure each got an opportunity to bat, while Jayden Brooks and Oscar Jensen also bring down the age profile.
Clearly Shac Thomas is the danger man following his unbeaten 104 to start the season.
For the Pointers, Shaun Mathews led the charge with 44 runs while Mark Frazer added 29. It remains to be seen how the bowling of Daniel Chapman, Rakii Woeti and Jack Norton will go against a deep batting line-up.Coomealla Wentworth v Merbein South
LAST season’s grand finalists Coomealla Wentworth were one of two teams to be defeated in the opening contest of the season against Mildura West after only being able to set them a target of 106, eventually losing by three wickets.
While there is plenty to be excited about in the bowling department, coach Liam Freeman is hopeful of improvement with the bat against Merbein South, with the Blues at home to the Saints at George Gordon Oval.
Darby McLean top scored against West with 39 from 43 deliveries, which included six boundaries and a six, with the next best being opener Luke Cullinan with 18.
“We had a couple of blokes make starts but couldn’t go on with it,” Freeman said.
“It’s been a focus for a couple of years now but it just seems to be a trend for us that we need to continually work on.
“We just really want to put a decent total on the board and show what we can do, and keep following up with the ball like we have been.”
Freeman (3/32) impressed with the ball, as did all-rounder Jay Turlan (3/21) in his first outing with his new club.
Add in Bevan Wade and Justin Freeman, who were both in the top three wicket takers last season, and Tanner Begg, Zac Hancock and youngster Tom Stokes and there are plenty of options with the ball.
Merbein South were forced to withdraw their sides from the opening week of competition due to a COVID case, forcing them into a 40-over contest with Gol Gol.
The Saints will want more from their top order batsmen, although big hitter Hamim Miah impressed with 33.
