GOL Gol captain/coach Adam Thomson has a “good” selection headache on the eve of this weekend’s Sunraysia cricket First Division semi-final encounter against Coomealla Wentworth in Dareton.
Thomson’s side was rolled by the Blues in last week’s final round, meaning they fell from top spot to finish the home-and-away season in third.
However, there are potentially three big inclusions for Gol Gol to bolster their line-up this weekend.
“I have some selection headaches, but they are good ones to have. We’re likely to have a stronger line-up than last week,” Thomson said.
“We have Jeremy Barnes and Matt Cameron both available again after they didn’t play last round. And Oscar Jensen came back from injury in the 2s last week so whether or not we play all three is the dilemma I’m weighing up.”
Asked which way he was leaning on the selection call, he said: “I’m not going to give that away until Saturday.”
Thomson said he had been unsure how his team were going to perform this season.
“We had a massive change of personnel after last season, bringing four or five different blokes into the side and we didn’t know how we were going to go,” he said.
“To make the finals ticks the first box. And once you make the semis, you want to win the whole thing.”
Shacaya Thomas, who has hit three tons already this season and averages 57.5 with the bat, will be a key man in Gol Gol’s batting line-up.
Thomson also predicted Wade Hancock, who knocked up 70 against the Blues last round, would continue his good recent form.
Blues skipper Liam Freeman said his side – unbeaten since Christmas – was looking forward to the semi-final challenge this weekend.
“Everyone’s really confident going into the game,” he said.
“We have learnt from our grand final loss last year. We’re more patient with the bat now and we want to show everyone else what we can do now.
“It’ll be a big challenge against Gol Gol. You can’t write them off because they are a class act.
“Bevan (Wade) will be a key player for us with both bat and ball, and Justin (Freeman) is in good form (after hitting 90 not out last week).
“We’ll be ready to go this weekend.”
