TODAY’S clash with top of the table Irymple is a must win for Mildura East if they want to push for a finals appearance, Mildura East coach Josh Berry has declared.
In the return of Sunraysia Cricket Association from the Christmas and new years break, one-day games are scheduled for the next two weeks.
And with bonus points on offer during the shorter format of games, plus the threat of the current COVID outbreak hanging over players’ heads, victories over the coming weeks will be vital in a shortened season.
While fifth-placed East’s last encounter with the Swallows was a washed-out draw after action in the opening week, Berry said he felt the team had made some progress since that point and are ready for the challenge.
“It’s a good challenge for our group because we know it’s games like these we have to be able to win if we want to break into that top four. We need to get a couple of these scalps,” he said.
“It’s one of those seasons where really all sides from fourth down to seventh or eighth could realistically make finals. Merbein South played really well prior to Christmas and they occupy that fourth spot that we’re chasing.
“I think the fact we’ve played so much one day cricket over the past couple of years means everyone is pretty used to that format.
“We’re probably a bit more suited to the shorter form and hopefully we’ve learned a couple of lessons from the first time we’ve played Irymple. Especially for our batting line up, we’ve taken a few things from then when we didn’t perform so well after our bowlers had performed well.”
The addition of batsman Connor Robinson, who moved to Mildura from South Australia and looked solid in their win over Nichols Point before Christmas, has added some extra depth in the middle and top order.
“We always thought batting would probably be our Achilles heel so it’s been nice to have that strengthened a bit more at the start of the season,” Berry said.
The depth of their bowling unit, much like their opponents Irymple, has been their strength so far with their 27 wickets having been shared across the board.
East’s pace attack of Jayden and Zane Hunt, Tom Vadlja and Surendra Prajapat, who was impressive this week for Sunraysia’s under-17 side, have led the way.
“Each week we’ve got six or seven quality bowlers who could be on so it’s whoever is bowling well is who will get the lion’s share of the overs,” Berry said.
“The good thing for us is Zane Hunt and Surendra Prajapat have probably come on further than what we expected at this stage, which is fantastic. Having Andrew Ross come back and hold the ship steady as well has been great.
“Surendra looked like the standout player from the opening game (of country week) so he’s obviously had some good form, and he’s been our opening bowler from the start.”
Aside from the previous draw against East, Irymple have won both of their completed games against Mildura West and Gol Gol respectively.Nichols Point v Mildura Settlers
WITH two wins from their two completed games, Mildura Settlers would be happy with the position they’re in to start the new year.
Today, they’re up against Nichols Point who are yet to win a game, but with the 40-over contests seeming to suit them more, they would fancy their chances.
The Pointers will be hoping to get enough runs on the board to put the pressure back on the defending champions, having amassed scores of 149, 110 and 118 in their three innings so far. They have the lowest amount of runs for any team that has completed three full innings.
Skipper Brad Thomas and coach Shaun Mathews will again be vital to their fortunes, while the solid form of young batsman Lewis Dichiera in Junior Country Week in Bendigo this week would also give them some greater confidence.
There is not much of a weakness in the Setts’ outfit with deep batting and bowling line-ups, however this season they have been happy to give game time in First Division to a number of younger players. Monty Maloney and Cooper Aldridge have been named to play against Point.
Skipper Richie Wyld also leads the competition in wickets taken and his spin could tie down the opposition batters.
Setts go in hot favourites but don’t be surprised if the Pointers give them a run for their money on their home deck.Merbein South v Gol Gol
MERBEIN South have perhaps been the surprise packet of the season so far, currently occupying fourth place on the ladder with two wins and a loss.
The one loss came at the hands of today’s opponents Gol Gol, but solid wins over Coomealla Wentworth and Mildura West have them in a good position to start the season.
Getting a win over highly fancied opponents would be important for the Saints, who face West, Mildura Settlers and Irymple in games to come.
Spinner Jarrod Forrester and big hitter Hamim Miah have led from the front for the home side while they welcome off-season recruit Josh Stanley for his first game after recovering from a knee injury.
There are four changes to the Gol Gol line-up from their last round defeat to Irymple, with skipper Adam Thomson, Cal Humphreys, Jayden Brooks and Zac Tankard out, replaced by Ben McPhee, Scott Withers, Kane Dawson and keeper Tyson Adamson. Luke Hickey will take the armband.
The Saints bowling line-up will no doubt be wary of leading run scorers Shacaya Thomas and Wade Hancock, who smashed them around the park for 104 not out and 60 respectively in the last contest.
Gol Gol would be a big scalp for Merbein South and on their home deck they may have more confidence, but it will be a big ask. Coomealla Wentworth v Mildura West
LAST year’s grand finalists Coomealla Wentworth are yet to win a game this season, but may fancy their chance at McLeod Oval against Mildura West.
On the back of their bowling attack, the Blues forced their way into the grand final last season, but batting struggles have been the biggest issue so far.
Scores of 105, 90 and 116 haven’t help their cause, although a second innings 3/252 against Mildura Settlers as they chased an innings victory proved they have the firepower in the top order. Bevan Wade, the leading wicket taker last season, was the second player to hit a century for the campaign while Tom Douglas made an unbeaten 50.
West will have confidence following their victory over the Blues in the opening game of the season, but a loss to Merbein South before Christmas could be a blow in their finals ambitions.
Chris Williams has again been the star with 12 wickets and some handy runs, and a second innings 85 from Joe Fleri against the Saints was handy for his confidence.
Expect a tight contest in NSW that will have an important bearing on the back half of the season.
