Picture: THOMAS MILES
NORTH SPORTSMAN’S v SOUTH GAMBIER
IF the expected rain does not dampen proceedings, red-ball cricket is set to return in earnest for the penultimate round of the 2019-20 Barber Shield with a number of tight match ups expected tomorrow.
After a week off the intensity will raise another gear with finals places still fiercely contested, as little separates the six teams on the ladder.
The closest battle could take place at Marist Park between North Sportsman’s and South Gambier.
The last time the pair met the Demons edged home in a thrilling one-day clash in round two and the home side will be desperate to settle the scores.
Although South sits at the top of the ladder it will be tested by a rejuvenated Tigers outfit.
North has rediscovered its best after the Christmas break with two victories in response to a disappointing start to the season.
Its bowling attack has been on fire recently, after dismissing East and West for meagre totals of 42 and 94 respectively.
The likes of Nick McInerney, Tim Young, Elliott Fisher, Declan Kenny and Kayne Badman have been in destructive form and will be a handful in home conditions conducive to swing and seam bowling.
The Tigers’ batting order has not found its groove yet, but received a significant boost last round by Jake Schutz’s return to the runs.
After not meeting his own high standards, Schutz scored 85 at Malseed Park in a game where the next highest was 25.
He will be the big wicket for the visiting bowlers, who possess strong two-day form.
The last time the Demons charged in with the red ball in hand they knocked over the Roos cheaply twice to claim an outright win, led by Robert Drenthen’s 11-wicket haul.
Drenthen will front the assault alongside Adam Kuhl, Camron Jorgensen and Daniel Loupos.
South also has multiple run-scoring options, with captain David Somerfield a consistent contributor and opener David Vine fresh off a 97.
If the Marist Park pitch lives up to its characteristics this season, the batsmen will likely struggle at the crease, as the bowlers dictate terms under gloomy skies.
Picture: THOMAS MILES
WEST GAMBIER v EAST GAMBIER
WEST Gambier faces an important moment in its 2019-20 Barber Shield season when it hosts East Gambier at Malseed Park tomorrow.
With the ladder delicately poised, all teams need a win to stay ahead in the finals race, but none more so than the Roos.
After sitting in the top-two earlier in the season, West is now one slip away from the bottom of the ladder.
But the side could be inspired by its last match against the Bulldogs, which saw it pull off a come-from-behind win.
The Roos batted first and were on the brink of a collapse, but captain Richard Crute stood tall to lift his men with an aggressive 63.
He was the only batsman to make an impact and his innings gave West’s bowlers a small total to defend.
The likes of Sam Willis, Josh Cornolo, Niall Easterbrook and Connor Prior responded emphatically and bowled East out to win by 23 runs.
But fast-forward six rounds later and the Roos are in desperate need of a similar performance.
West has recorded just one triumph since and is in danger of missing finals action.
It will also face a far more confident East outfit, which has won three of its past four encounters.
Dion Stratford appears in ominous touch after an exquisite century in his last innings, while Emerson Marks has brought up the 50-run milestone twice in three games.
The pair is the backbone of the Bulldogs’ batting order, but other players such as Darren Whitehorn and Matthew Hastings are keen to make a statement as well.
Marks has also proven to be a potent spinning option with the ball after 11 wickets in as many matches.
In the seam attack, East captain Alex Hentschke has a number of consistent bowlers at his disposal such as himself, Ben Clark and Liam Turley.
Hentschke will hope to expose the Roos’ recent troubles with the bat and claim the ascendancy on the opening day.
However, rain may have the final say and shorten the two-week game into a one-day affair.
PENOLA v MIL LEL
RED ball cricket will return to McCorquindale Park on Saturday, when Penola hosts Mil Lel in an important round-nine Barber Shield two-day match.
In the pair’s first match up this season, both sides will be desperate for victory, with a chance to seal their finals fate.
An Eagles’ win would confirm a top-four finish for last summer’s grand finalists, while Mil Lel needs to play at its best to keep its finals dream alive.
Although Mil Lel sits at the bottom of the ladder, it will provide a significant challenge to the home side.
The Jack Miller led team has been an improved outfit in 2019-20.
His men remain the most prolific batting side in the competition and are tough to beat in two-day contests.
Mil Lel’s two wins this season were both red-ball fixtures and after a win-less return from the Christmas break with the white ball it will welcome the return of the traditional format.
The likes of Daniel Justin, Paul Harding and Craig Lock will be ones to watch out for with the bat.
Led by Ben Thiel and Tom Nieuwerkerk, Mil Lel has multiple bowling options who will be keen to make a statement after a disappointing effort last round.
Penola opening batsman Jack Mullan will hope to continue his good form after an impressive comeback from the festive period.
Mullan has scored two consecutive half centuries and will search for more support from the top order after the Eagles were bowled out for 96 in their last two-day game.
But Penola’s tail offers plenty of fight, after Michael Waters guided the side home in a tense run chase to defeat South in round eight.
He will also be Mil Lel’s major threat with the ball and will be supported by Conrad Slabber, who claimed four wickets in his last spell.
With wet and gloomy conditions forecast for the opening day, the team which bowls first could take the upper hand.
