Barham-Koondrook v Nyah District
AN UNRECOGNISABLE Nyah District will get their first look at league newcomers Barham-Koondrook when the two teams clash at Koondrook Saturday.
While there are many unknowns surrounding the SHDCA’s newest side, the same can be said for the Demons, who will have a vastly different team to the one which lost last year’s semi-final to Wandella.
Drew Lloyd, Josh Domaille, Toby O’Grady and Jake Haynes have all moved on from last season and all-rounder Joel Walsh and batsman Dean Harrop will miss Saturday’s match with injury.
While Nyah District will have a significantly different line-up, they still possess enough quality with both bat and ball to prove problematic for Barham-Koondrook.
Charlie Boulton is one who the Demons will be hoping produces a big game, along with English recruit Alex Wilson and fully fit skipper Ben Shadbolt.
All three will be key players with the ball while Boulton can also do significant damage with the bat at the top of the order.
Barham-Koondrook will also look quite different in their first SHDCA game.
Batsman Warren Lolicato, wicket keeper Uli van Rensberg and leg spinner Joel Davidson are all additions to last year’s team that were runners-up to Murrabit in the Northern District Cricket Association’s grand final.
With home conditions favouring the newcomers, a hotly contested opening game can be expected between two very competitive sides.
