CRICKET returns to Swan Hill with a bang this weekend, as the top four vie for a place in the McDonald’s T20 Competition Grand Final.
Just one game separates ladder leading Beverford Tavern Demons and the three teams below them, the Phones R Us Blues, Are Able Bulldogs and Autopro Bombers.
The equation is made easy for the undefeated Demons; a win in their game against the Pizza Kitchen Tigers will wrap up a spot in the Grand Final and a shot at back-to-back McDonald’s T20 titles.
The big-hitting Demons have the ability to pile on the runs, as evidenced by their net run rate of 2.047, the second highest in the competition.
That rate is only eclipsed by their final round opponents, who currently sit in fifth place but hold a net run rate of 2.747, showing the Tigers are more than capable of an upset.
Demons skipper Ben Shadbolt said his team will have to be on their toes if they want to reach the final, as any team can have their day in the shorter format.
“It’s a bit of a funny one,” Shadbolt said.
“We should be in the box seat for the Grand Final, but we still aren’t quite locked in.
“We know that these games can go either way, we’ve had some pretty good tussles with Woorinen over the years.
“They’re a good side, so we never think that we would just come in and roll over the top of them.
“They always just keep fighting, so we are prepared for a tough day on Saturday but hopefully we can get the win and secure a spot.”
Having missed the opportunity to play the Tigers earlier in the season, Shadbolt said the Demons would be sending a stronger side over to Woorinen for the match this weekend.
“We are probably closer to full strength than the last time we faced them, I think we had four or five out that weekend,” he said.
“I didn’t play; Walshy and Dean didn’t play that day, so we should have a bit more manpower this week.
“We won’t be taking them lightly; they’ve got some pretty destructive cricketers.
“I haven’t had the chance to play against Connor Fletcher yet but by the looks of it, he’s a really good cricketer.
“Darren Rushton has been hitting the ball really well and you’ve still got the likes of Dean Morpeth; if he’s playing, he’s one of the premier cricketers in the competition.”
The other side with their fate in their own hands are the Phones R Us Blues, who take on a cluBarham Raiders side they are yet to face in the shorter format.
Having lost to the Koondrook-Barham side in their one-day clash earlier this season, captain Ben Hallam said his side were keen to get revenge on their way to hopefully clinch a final appearance.
“Obviously T20 is a lot quicker, but we just have to worry about continuing to do what we’ve been doing the last few T20 games,” he said.
“I think we’ve won the last four games in a row, so it’s all about carrying on that momentum through the break.
“They’ve shown that they can play some really good cricket; they gave us a bit of a touch up earlier in the year.
“What will be, will be – I feel the club is currently in a spot where we know what we can do.
“If we play our style of cricket, then the results are usually going to look after themselves.”
Beverford Tavern Demons
Position – 1st
How they make the final: Just a win, and they’re in.
Difference makers: Joel Walsh, Charlie Boulton, Alex Wilson.
Phones R Us Blues
Position – 2nd
How they make the final: Beat cluBarham Raiders, hope for a slow match between 3rd and 4th.
Difference makers: Stuart Patterson, Ryan Hinton, Patrick Caldwell.
Are Able Bulldogs
Position – 3rd
How they make the final: Beat Autopro Bombers, Blues lose.
Difference makers: Jonty Chaproniere, Jake Foster, Charlie King.
Autopro Bombers
Position – 4th
How they make the final: Beat Are Able Bulldogs, Blues lose.
Difference makers: Peter Moore, Ethan McKnight, Laine Gibbons.
