James Murphy
The weekend’s wet and wild weather played havoc on the Millicent and Naracoorte Cricket Association, with all Round 5 matches abandoned.
As such, the four scheduled fixtures were entered as no results, with players hopeful for finer conditions this weekend.
KINGSTON v RENDELSHAM
Looking at Round 6 and ladder leader Rendelsham will visit fifth-placed Kingston.
However, a good battle can be expected as despite the disparity in ladder placings, both sides have won two games for the season.
Kingston has played an extra game – due to two cancelled fixtures for Rendelsham – and sits in fifth with two wins and a loss.
Both sides will be eager to return to the pitch after a couple of abandoned rounds.
Rendelsham in particular will be itching to play, with its last completed match back in Round 2, where it defeated Robe.
That game saw Zach Jones (61 runs) and Ethan Bowman (24) lead with the bat and they will look for solid outings again.
For Kingston its last full game was in Round 3, which was a convincing loss to Naracoorte Townies.
It will chase a third win for the season and hope for some good inputs with bat and ball.
Craig Watson claimed four wickets in Round 2, while decent batting performances include captain Mathew Cridland’s half-century in Round 1 and a 39-run haul from vice captain Callum Paige in Round 2.
Kingston will be eager to post another win, but Rendelsham is sure to put up a good fight.
LUCINDALE v FOOTBALLERS FURNER BEACHPORT
Lucindale and Footballers Furner Beachport will meet in Round 6 of Millicent Naracoorte Cricket tomorrow.
Both teams have a win each, with Lucindale’s coming in Round 3 in convincing fashion against Robe.
Lucindale posted an unassailable 214-run total in the first innings, with opener Shane McGurk scoring 64 runs and captain Michael McGurk unbeaten on 67.
An even contribution with the ball saw four multiple wicket takers, which will be a weapon they hope to utilise again this round.
The Footballers’ win also came in Round 3, which was the last completed round for all teams.
They accounted for Mount Burr, with some standout figures including Gerard McGrath’s 62 runs and Jase Bateman’s 3/9 with the ball.
The match sits as a bit of an unknown, but if Lucindale can put in another big batting return, the Footballers will have a tough task on their hands.
MOUNT BURR v MILLICENT
Mount Burr will chase its first win of the Millicent and Naracoorte cricket season when it hosts Millicent tomorrow.
The Mozzies have lost three games and had two abandoned, while Millicent has one win and three cancelled games.
Millicent’s last successful outing was against Naracoorte Warriors and resulted in a comfortable victory.
Just three wickets fell as the Saints chased down the Warriors’ 78 runs, with captain Jaxon Cushion leading the charge with an unbeaten half-century.
He will be out to impress again, while Jacob Todd and Alex Wesolowski have proven efficient with the ball.
For Mount Burr, it has been well in the fight in all three of its completed games, but has been unable to claim the win.
Millicent will be favoured for victory, but the Mozzies will fight hard on their home turf.
NARACOORTE TOWNIES v NARACOORTE WARRIORS
The in-house battle between Naracoorte’s Townies and Warriors teams will put bragging rights on the line this week.
While ladder placings are not much to go off at this stage – with as many games abandoned as played in 2022-23 – the Townies hold the advantage with two wins to Warriors’ one.
After two week’s of cancelled fixtures, the Townies will hope to impress with the ball as they did in Round 3 against Kingston.
They held their opposition to 70 runs thanks to a strong contribution from bowlers, which included three wickets to both Bredon Smart and Josh Bull.
That total was easily obtained after an unbeaten opening partnership between Matt Smith and Shoukat Ali, with 54 and 12 runs respectively.
For the Warriors, the only success from its two completed games came in Round 2 against bottom-placed Mount Burr.
Aaron Haines (24 runs) and Andrew Fitzgerald (23) were best with the bat, while Simon Cox’s 3/9 was the best of the bowling efforts.
While the match could easily go either way, the Townies looked to be the favourite heading into the one-day clash.
