SOUTH Gambier will embark on a mission to become the state’s best regional short-format side when it begins its Statewide Twenty20 cricket competition campaign at Frew Park tomorrow.
The Demons will open their account against Millicent at 10am, with the victor progressing to play Lucindale at 1pm.
The trio is fighting to become South East’s representative side at the tournament, which sees the top country teams go head-to-head in a knock-out format.
An enticing prize awaits for the two finalists, with the rare opportunity to play on the hallowed Adelaide Oval turf in the decider.
Last season South reached the semi-final, but it managed to progress all the way to the grand final in 2014/15.
Despite the Demons losing the state title to Pooraka, team-leader Robert Drenthen said playing on one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world was an unforgettable experience.
“We were lucky enough to play on the Adelaide Oval a few years ago and it was a fantastic experience,” he said.
“We lost that day, but it was still great to go away with the club and all the lads enjoyed being together.
“Hopefully we can repeat it.”
South heads into the competition with confidence after it has been in dominant form with the white ball.
The Demons won their opening pair of Barber Shield one-day games this season, while they have been the class Twenty20 side of the region recently, with back-to-back South East big bash tournament crowns.
Despite injuries to key-players Dylan Clough and Luke Zadow, South has gelled with a strong group of players led by the arrival of all-rounder David Somerfield.
Drenthen said this season’s side is in a good frame of mind with a large player pool to choose from and he believes it has the talent to repeat the success of five years ago.
“We have clicked as a group this season,” he said.
“We have not just got 11 playing, we have a decent pool of players to pick from, so there is pressure for spots.
“I think this current side could challenge that (2014/15) side.
“We have a set way of how we go about Twenty20 cricket.
“We all know which role we are supposed to play within the team, so hopefully we can make it work on the day.”
Despite all the plans in place, a challenge for all teams at the event will be consistency.
The Twenty20 format is not only the shortest, it is also the most unpredictable in the game and an individual performance can weigh heavily on the result.
It is for this reason Drenthen said the Demons will not take any opposition lightly.
“When it comes to Twenty20 cricket anyone can win any game,” he said.
“It takes just one person to bowl or bat really well and you can lose the game.
“We played Millicent a few years ago and John Facey took us to the cleaners and we lost, so you can never think you are a shoe in to win.
“You just have to make it work on the day and back yourself.”
The winner of tomorrow’s action will represent the region at the next stage of tournament in Langhorne Creek on December 15, before the grand final at the Adelaide Oval on February 2.
