Sport
1 March, 2024
Cricket finals get underway
The semifinals of the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association get underway tomorrow with two mouth-watering games.
BrimKSH hosts Marnoo at the Brim Recreation Reserve and Donald Jeffcott hosts Birchip at Donald Recreation Reserve.
The last time BrimKSH and Marnoo played was back in round 11 on February 3 where Marnoo upset BrimKSH on BrimKSH's turf by four runs. They scored 9/194 and the home side was restricted to 190 in the chase.
BrimKSH wicket-keeper Matthew Crisp knows it will be tough.
"They batted well and we were unlucky at times and it was one of those games of cricket," he said.
"It won't be an easy assignment. We have to be on from ball one.
"Everyone is excited to be back in the finals again. A few of the boys got together on Tuesday night and had a bit of a chat about it and we are ready to go."
Nic Baird and Jimmy Duxson are the danger men for Marnoo, having scored 383 and 325 runs respectively this season and Crisp knows it is going to be tough, especially with David Lang at the top of the order.
"They are in good form at the moment. Langy is hard to tie down, so he will go for it, so we need to ride the wave and see what happens," Crisp said.
"In regards to Jimmy, hopefully we can tie him down. Our game plan is to bowl tight and don't let them play with the freedom they are used to, so we need to do that. They are definitely in form at the right time of the year.
Benjamin Newton and Jimmy Duxson are hard to face and BrimKSH has a good batting lineup, but lately they haven't been able to score many runs and rely on Isaac McPherson.
McPherson has scored 395 runs this year with Jeremy Preston 178, Chris McPherson, 169 and Leigh Dovaston, 166, and Crisp knows they need to bat well, noting batting has been a concern.
"Batting is a concern. You can't lie about these things," he said.
"We can't rely on Isaac all the time. With us being at full strength now we have the players that can score runs - we just need to be able to do it.
"We need to be patient and put away the bad balls, keep wickets in hand and then go for it."
Bowling is BrimKSH's strength and when you boast Charie Dean with 18 wickets, Isaac McPherson, 15, Lachlan McGinniss, 14, Chris McPherson, 12, and Jeremy Preston, 11, you will win a lot of cricket matches.
"For years the bowling has been our strength and they have done exceptionally well this year and kept us in it. It's time for the batters to lift," Crisp concluded.
Donald Jeffcott finished on top of the ladder and has gone through the season unbeaten and there is no weakness in their lineup. All eyes will be on Noah Berry, the best batsman in the competition.
Berry has amassed 761 runs this season at an average of 93.13 and whilst in the last two games he hasn't been prolific, on his day he can single-handedly win the match boasting scores of 190, 133 and 131.
Then you have the bowling with Eddie Landwehr, the leading wicket-taker of the season with 21 scalps and when you couple him with Cooper Anderson, 20 wickets, you have a dangerous combination.
Birchip's key to winning is their bowling. Jonty Randall, 19 wickets and Lachy Randall, 18 are next behind the Donald-Jeffcott trio. If they can bowl to their best and get the key wickets of Berry, Daniel Atkins and Lachlan Jones, then they are in with a huge shot.
The batting is the concern with the highest scorer being Ty Colbert with 158 so they need to find ways to get runs against a terrific bowling outfit.
In B Grade, Charlton hosts Southern Mallee Giants at Charlton Park.
Charlton finished on top of the ladder and boast league-leading runscorer Billy Sexton with 502 runs and second best, Hugh Sait with 303.
Patrick Soulsby, 17 wickets, and Hugh Sait, 14 are quality bowlers so the Giants' face an uphill task of claiming the win.
Only one player has scored over 200 runs and that is Luke Mitchell with 233. Jack Flavel is second on 161, so if they are to win, they need to find ways to score runs.
Their bowling is solid with Jackson Moore leading the way with 15 wickets and with Clinton Castleman on 12 alongside Adrian Love, if they bowl to their best, they are in with a chance.
In the other match at Donald Recreation Reserve, Donald Jeffcott hosts Birchip and a tight match is expected.
Jack Tellefson is the leading runscorer for Donald Jeffcott with 258 runs and for Birchip it is Hudson McCredden with 235.
Both teams are more noted for their bowling and the top three wicket-takers of the season are playing in this match.
James Paley (Birchip) and Donald Jeffcott duo Joseph Praveen and Jacob Donnellon all have 19 wickets a piece. Jake Needs is in sixth place for Donald Jeffcott with 14 wickets.
Birchip can't rely on Paley and will need Hudson McRedden, 12 wickets, and Joel Emonson, 10 wickets to put the pressure on, and they are both capable of doing that.