THE cancellation of the weekend’s Barber Shield cricket due to pitch conditions sees the scheduled two-day round reverted to the one-day format, which will be played today.
Penola has been consistent in all formats this season, whether it be across two days or in a limited overs situation and as a result the ladder-leaders will remain the hot favourites going into today’s clash with Mil Lel – which should be at Frew Park, weather permitting.
The only change to playing conditions sees bowlers restricted to eight overs or less, which will have little effect on Penola, as it has shown depth with the ball.
Curt Evans comes off the back of a five-wicket haul against South Gambier in day two of the last round, while George Kidman bagged four on the same day.
Brad Maney, Dave Somerfield and Brett Vaughan were wicket takers on day one and all finished with two, while Michael Waters bagged three in the Demons’ thrashing.
Each of them will be out to perform again this week with both the bat and ball.
Somerfield returned 57 runs last round and has been consistent at the crease this season, while Jase Bateman and Lewis March will also look to back up their Round 4 performances.
The likes of Kidman and Jack Mullan have posted some good scores in the one-day matches this year and will come out swinging.
For Mil Lel it will rely heavily on its bowlers to hold the Eagles to an achievable total.
Craig Lock had an impressive five-wicket haul against East Gambier last round and will strive for a similar result this week.
He will be joined by the likes of youngsters Tom Nieuwerkerk and Ben Thiel, while Jack Miller, Justin Lamont and Jonathan Allcock will also be out to impress.
The hosts will also need to fire with the bat, as they have yet to record a win in a one-day match.
The previous game in the short format saw Mil lel up against West Gambier, where Allcock and Daniel Justin top scored for the side on 26 runs each.
Yet to find some real momentum at the crease this season, the likes of Kaiden Weber, Nieuwerkerk and Allcock will be out to replicate their batting performances from last round, while Carey Megaw will chase the solid 42-run total he managed back in Round 2.
The odds remain the same for Mil Lel and it will be under the pump to compete with Penola, with the Eagles likely to emerge the victors.
