Swan Hill v Wandella
WANDELLA will be aiming to redeem themselves at the scene of their grand final defeat last season when they play Swan Hill in the final match of round 1.
The Bombers were no match for eventual premiers St Mary’s-Tyntynder in last year’s decider but should find Saturday’s journey to the showgrounds a match easier affair against a rebuilding Swans.
Swan Hill failed to win a match in last year’s Kookaburra Cup competition, and following the departures of Cal Noonan, Nathan Spicer, Alan Hatcher and Andrew Clark their task of beating last season’s grand finalists won’t be an easy one first up.
The addition of Joseph Fernando and Ammar Khalid will help, however, particularly with the bat, although if they are to be competitive against Wandella they will need big contributions from new skipper Lachie Edwards and Jacob Hatcher.
With Ryan Barnes, Daniel Higgs and both Bohden and Ethan McKnight available, Wandella should be confident of controlling the Swans’ run rate and taking all 10 wickets, the end result to be decided by their ability to produce a defendable score on the batsman-friendly Swan Hill wicket.
