MILDURA East have ambitions of making finals, but to do so the young squad will need to get some wins on the board soon.
Hosting Nichols Point at Brian Weightman Oval today could be a good starting point for East, who have given a solid account of themselves so far against tough opposition in Mildura Settlers and Irymple.
Both sides have the single loss alongside an abandoned game, and like all teams will want to head into the Christmas break with victory.
Against Setts last week, the workload was put onto East strike bowler Jayden Hunt, who bowled more than a quarter of the 40 overs. Although it was a game played in one day, under two-day rules there was no limit on the amount of overs.
He took 4/63 from his 12 overs and it will be interesting to see how he recovers, if East bowl on day one.
Youngsters Zane Hunt (three overs) and Surendra Prajapat (five overs) were held back by skipper Josh Berry last week, potentially with an eye on a greater workload in this game.
Prajapat, 15, seemingly has the tools as was proven by taking 4/36 in the opening game of the season, but potentially Tom Vadlja and Mukesh Sharma might come in for a greater workload.
A half-century from skipper Brad Thomas was welcome for the Pointers last week, but he wasn’t able to get much more support with the the bat. The left-hander’s temperament should suit the longer format however he will need others to hang around.
There are big wraps on youngster Lewis Dichiera and if he can have a break out innings, Nichols Point will be in a decent position.
From a bowling perspective the club loves the energy Jack Norton brings, but coach and left-arm spinner Shaun Mathews will be expected to bowl plenty of overs.
Merbein South v Mildura West
CONFIDENCE is high at Merbein South following their drought-breaking win over Coomealla Wentworth last week.
Thanks to 6/23 from spinner Jarrod Forrester, the Saints claimed their opening First Division victory in almost two years against the Blues.
Today they host a Mildura West side coming off a 21-run loss to Irymple at Chaffey Park.
Forrester, who was the Player of the Round, said there is “a different vibe” around the club this season.
“We have three or four new recruits and a few younger guys who have pushed themselves into the first team,” he said.
“There’s a really good feeling around the place, and that win really gives us a boost, especially early on in the season.
“We’re always aiming for finals, and we want to be in the top four or five teams in the competition come the end of the season.
“After our innings we thought we left a few runs out on the park. We were aiming for about 150 or 160 and we thought we would need every of one of those. It turns out we didn’t but we definitely left a few out there.”
How the batting order fares against the bowling of Chris Williams, Harry O’Brien, Locke Thornton and Brandon Dixon across 80 overs remains to be seen.
West will be hoping for a strong showing from top order recruit Sean Hawking, who has scores of 1 and 23 in his two innings so far, while fellow recruit and all-rounder Lachlan Lawrence came into the side for the first time last week.
Coomealla Wentworth v Mildura Settlers
THE grand final replay, albeit under different circumstances to the three-game series in March, heads across the bridge to George Gordon Oval.
Blues coach Liam Freeman indicated that the batting from his side needed some work ahead of their clash with Merbein South. It turned out to still be the case as they were rolled for 90 by the Saints, after making 105 the previous round against West.
It doesn’t bode well when coming up against Setts bowling attack that posses a variety of options, with seven bowlers used last week and all four wickets coming from different players.
The Blues do have a solid bowling unit however, with spinner Tanner Begg (four wickets) and Bevan Wade (three) taking their turn to lead the way last week. Liam and Justin Freeman are known wicket takers and youngster Tom Stokes has bags of potential.
Darby McLean has put up the most resistance with the bat so far with a couple of solid quickfire innings, but will need extra support.
The return innings of Andrew Petrie didn’t quite go to plan last week for the reigning premiers with a duck, but he’ll be hoping the extra time at the crease will work for him.
Skipper Braidyn Turner also looks in good nick, while youngster Liam Goss impressed with 36 last week.
The Blues will hope the home town track can work in their favour.
