By Lachlan Onions
LOOKING back at the season to date, Mil Lel has been the surprise package in the first half of this season’s Big Bash.
Mil Lel entered the Christmas break on top of the ladder with three wins from three and with just two rounds in the season, is in a strong position to book a ticket in this year’s grand final.
The most notable of the three victories was when it defeated Penola in a final-over thriller at McCorquindale Park.
Logan Gibbs was the main contributor with the bat in that victory and scored an unbeaten 44.
With the ball, Harrison Hicks, Jack Miller, William Rowland and Gibbs have had the most impact.
Penola and East Gambier are both hot on Mil Lel’s heels with two wins each.
For the Eagles, Drew Clayfield has dealt the damage with the bat and scored 49 not out in the most recent game where his side went down to Mil Lel.
With the ball, several different players have all had an impact, with Gerard Merrett, Zac Zema, Jack Mullan and Michael Waters the key contributors.
For the Bulldogs, the bowlers have shown their strength this season and were at their best in Round 3, when they bowled West Gambier out for 94 runs.
Alex Hentschke has been at his lethal best and has also made handy contributions with the bat as well.
Dion Stratford has been one of the best batters in the association this summer and scored a critical 52 runs in his side’s one-run win over South Gambier in Round 1.
While, Mil Lel, Penola and East Gambier are the sides likely to battle it out for spots in the grand final, West Gambier and South Gambier are still outside chances to sneak in and have won a single game each.
The Demons were unstoppable with the bat in Round 3 and posted an impressive score of 152 against North Sportsman’s at Marist Park.
The innings was highlighted by a dominant performance from Adam Somerfield who came in at first drop and scored 78 runs.
For the Roos, their only victory of the season came in Round 2, when they swept aside the Demons at the Blue Lake Sports Park.
Captain Jake Blackwell put his side in a strong position batting first and scored 52 runs off 40 deliveries but it was the bowlers who stole the show.
After West posted a solid total of 5/136, South’s openers combined for a 35-run opening stand.
However, the game was flipped on its head when the Demons lost 10 wickets for just 17 runs.
Amidst the chaotic batting collapse, there were eight players dismissed for four runs or less, including four ducks.
Trent Badman led the way on that occasion and took 4/7 off his four overs.
North Sportsman’s is the only side yet to claim a win in this year’s Big Bash.
Elliott Fisher led the way for the Tigers during their loss to the Demons and scored 58 runs in their chase.
With the ball, Nick McInerney and Isaac Mulraney have been the key contributors this season and will look to continue their impressive form as we head into the final two rounds.
The Big bash will resume on January 19, with South hosting Penola, Mil Lel hosting East and North taking on West at Malseed Park.
