Liam Durkin
SALE will look to continue its unbeaten run in Sale-Maffra cricket when round six begins on Saturday.
The Swans will take on Rosedale-Kilmany, in what should present a good battle between the Warriors’ top order and the Sale bowlers.
Sale’s bowling attack has had a large say in the side’s winning streak so far this season, with the club boosting three of the league’s top five bowlers in the aggregate stakes. Off spinner Daniel Croft is equal first with 11 wickets, while Coenie Nel and Ben Jones closely follow on 10.
The Rosedale-Kilmany batting card, led by Rohan Diamond, Brad Scott and Cameron Freshwater, will have its work cut out, but will enjoy the challenge of taking on the league pacesetters.
Diamond has been in good form, and is averaging 43.75 with the bat. The Warriors stalwart found a number of important boundaries last week, and can usually be relied upon to contribute a decent individual score.
BUNDALAGUAH and Stratford will meet at Colin Wrigglesworth Oval.
The Redbacks have put together some good performances of late, and will take a lot of confidence from last week’s win over Collegians, while the Bulls have had a frustrating 2019-20 campaign to date, with wash-outs and draws halting momentum.
The match will be enticing for spectators, as both teams posses players with outstanding ability who are capable of turning a match on its head.
Jonny Lash took five of the remaining seven College wickets for Stratford on Saturday, and will want to make the most of the new ball on Saturday.
Bundalaguah has welcomed back Gayashan Munsinghe, who will also be looking to claim some early breakthroughs if the Bulls bowl first.
Both teams bat deep, so a first innings score around the 250 to 300 mark may be the target the respective captains set about making.
COLLEGIANS will begin favourite against Boisdale-Briagolong, but will be vary of the Saints’ ability to surprise.
The reigning premiers have had fleeting moments of brilliance this season, which suggests if the planets align and things fall into place for them on a given day, they can be very hard to stop.
Collegians was well-beaten by Stratford last round, and will be eager to make amends. A few brain fades with the bat proved costly for the side, as well as a few dismissals which never should have happened.
Skipper Jack Tatterson is having a solid season, and could be in for a big score if he gets going.
Boisale-Briagolong lost too many early wickets last week against Rosedale-Kilmany, and will be looking for more discipline and better shot selection on Saturday. The Saints will have to adapt to longer form cricket as well, after last weeks match was a virtual one dayer.
Senior leaders Toby Leeds, Jonathan Beech, Liam Hurst and Todd Mann will be hoping some other players step up to help out.
The Saints will have good memories from their last game against Collegians, having defeated them in last season’s semi-final.
MAFFRA can get some separation inside the top four if it defeats Longford.
The Eagles will look to keep the scoreboard ticking over if it bats first, and will equally be on the prowl for quick wickets if it has to bowl.
Captain Josh Davis has done most of the heavy lifting in the early stages of the season, although Ben Durrant showed good signs in the last game against Sale, finishing with 4-97.
Maffra was skittled for just 112 against the Swans, and will want to ensure a similar dent to their pride is not felt a second time around.
Longford has shown continual signs of improvement, and a win shouldn’t be too far away for the Lizards.
Richard Bell is back in the side after returning from a broken hand, and scored an unbeaten 50 last week against Bundalaguah.
Captain Matthew Johns is a player many members of the team can look up to, and has led from the front opening the batting.
Johns and Kerrod Macgregor-Davies has played a lot of cricket and in some successful teams in the past, and should be able to pass on some knowledge to the younger brigade
