NORTH Sportsman’s will look to continue its charge towards the Barber Shield cricket finals when it pads up against Mil Lel tomorrow for round nine at Frew Park.
The home side will have a point to prove this week after East Gambier relegated them to the bottom of the ladder last round and will hope to build on a promising display against Penola last week.
Mil Lel’s bowlers did well to restrict the powerful Eagles batting line up to 9/202, led by opening combination Jack Miller (4/42) and Ben Thiel (2/20).
The pair have been Mil Lel’s standout bowlers for the season as they sit equal second on the leading wicket takers with 18 victims.
They will be again turned to in an attempt to find a way past the formidable Tigers batting order.
Thiel is also feeling confident with the bat in hand after his successful elevation up the order last week.
The regular tail-ender found himself walking to the crease at number four where he enjoyed the new role to bring up his side’s first half century for the season with a well-constructed 54.
It was struck in a one-day game, so if Thiel can stay in the raised position this week it remains to be seen what he can deliver, but Mil Lel would rather sweat on their struggling top-order regulars Todd Carpenter, Carey Megaw and Justin Lamont to top score.
A red-hot Tigers bowling attack will lick at the prospect of a confidence-lacking Mil Lel.
North crushed South Gambier last week when it cleaned up the Demons for just 41 runs.
Tim Young and Declan Kenny were among the wickets as they have been all season, but the figure which stood out was Nick McInerney’s outstanding five scalps for just 11 runs.
McInerney will look to use his aggressive thumping style through the crease to produce another haul.
The return of the two-day format will bring a smile to Jake Schutz’s face after he slashed 224 against East the last time the Tigers faced the red ball.
Michael Johnston played himself into form with a solid 61 last week to create batting depth around Schutz and the McInerney brothers.
If the Tigers’ top order can see out Mil Lel’s in-form new ball combination, it should be little challenge for North to post a total too great for its opposition.
The first hour of the contest will be crucial for Mil Lel to win, otherwise the home side will be in for a long and tough two weeks against a rampant Tigers line up.
