GOL GOL coach Adam Thomson believes the return of 80-over cricket this weekend will be a good test to see where his team is at.
Although it had been in the works for the past four weekends, rain restricted scheduled Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) two-day games to one-day contests, but now clear skies will see the longer format return.
It is an arm wrestle in waiting at Henshilwood Oval for a top-of-the-table clash between the visiting Gol Gol side and Irymple.
Golly are the only side to have won two games so far, led by master blaster Shacaya Thomas, who scored 104 not out in both games, while Luke Hickey is second behind only Mildura West’s Chris Williams for wickets taken with seven.
“It’s been a good start, you can’t ask for much more than two wins from the two full games we’ve played,” Thomson said.
“Losing Matty Cameron and Jake Albrecht left a real hole in the bowling attack and Luke (Hickey) has come in and filled that spot beautifully so far. If he can continue in the sort of form for the rest of the season we’ll be in a good position.
“We’ve got a few more options when it comes to bowling this year, although maybe not as many front liners as we’ve had in the past. Obviously coming back into the 80 over format this week having those extra options is a real bonus for us.”
Irymple have one of the strongest and most diverse bowling line-ups in the SCA First Division, and Thomson knows his batting unit will need to navigate their attack.
While Thomas (208 runs) and Wade Hancock (107) are the only players to surpass triple figures for total runs so far this season, the coach said he still instruct players to “play their natural game”.
“We’re definitely looking forward to batting for 80 overs again. It’ll be interesting fielding for 80 overs again after a couple of years but it will be great to get back to the longer form of cricket,” he said.
“Basically everyone will still be playing their natural game, and when you’ve got arguably the strongest bowling line-up in the competition coming at you, it will give us a much better sense of where we’re at.
“Shac’s scored 208 runs without giving a chance. Usually Shac starts the season really well because he works so hard. He’s probably putting in more time than anyone else and I think that comes out in the early games.
“Wade had a pretty short pre-season but he’s obviously class and when he gets his eye in there’s not too many better.
“They have a strong bowling unit so we have to be prepared for that. Getting the Jensen boys (Nick and Oscar) back this week definitely helps with those bowling stocks.”
The first few rounds have also allowed some young blood to put their hands up, with Jayden Brooks and Vaughan McLure both prime examples.
“Jayden Brooks has played mostly two the last couple of years but he’s lost about 30 kilograms,” Thomson said. “He’s worked so hard on his fitness and as a result he can bowl longer spells which is going to be handy for us.
“He’ll fill that hole that Jake Albrecht has left in being able to bowl multiple overs and hold up an end.
“Vaughan is a young guy who lives in Robinvale but has played all his junior cricket at Gol Gol. He came in for a couple of games last year and hopefully he can keep on this upward trajectory he’s on.”
Irymple come into the contest on the back of a 21-run win over Mildura West, with Luke Collett and Bryson Lush combining for nine wickets.
