A WEEKEND cricket extravaganza is upon us as four teams battle it out in the T20 semi-finals this Saturday for a spot in the grand final.
T20 first placed side Wandella will be going at it against Woorinen starting at 1.30pm at the Swan Hill Showgrounds.
Ultima Tuf will be facing Nyah District across the road at Alan Garden Reserve.
The winners will face each other in the grand final held at Swan Hill Showgrounds starting 4.30pm.
The Bombers look favourites in the T20 format, having strong wins against St Mary’s Tyntynder last weekend and Barham the week before.
Second placed side Ultima Tuf are also looking strong having won against RSL last week from a great bowling performance and taking down Nyah District in the last over the week before.
Wandella’s bowlers Peter Moore and Laing Waddingham were proven too good for the Woorinen outfit last time they faced, with them both taking four wickets and keeping the Tigers score rather low.
Wandella managed to get the required runs thanks to Peter Moore’s 55 run not out knock but Woorinen definitely made it difficult for the Bombers with the Tigers bowler, Gurmander Singh taking four wickets.
If Wandella play the way they did against Woorinen last time then they could be strong favourites for this weekend. But a different format could throw the Bombers off.
The Tigers lost in their recent T20 match against Barham but they did have a good win against RSL the weekend before.
Providing Woorinen play the way they did against RSL then they could bring a strong challenge to the Bombers this weekend, and with a grand prize at stake, the Tigers will want to fight with all their might to win a spot in the T20 grand final.
Ultima Tuf will be eager to bring home some silverware this weekend, Josh Waldron was a handy asset when the Roodogs last faced the Demons, having taken two wickets in the bowling and bringing in 21 runs in the batting.
Ultima Tuf vice-captain Lachlan Edwards was also a handy batter, notching 53 runs, which helped the Roodogs run over Nyah District.
Both Lachlan Edwards and Josh Waldron will want to replicate their performances this weekend as Nyah District will be wanting revenge.
The Demons had an average batting display with Dean Harrop being the lead batter with only 36 runs while the lower order batters Mitchell Grinham and Shane Fleming both made 33 and 32 runs respectively.
Joel Walsh was a handy bowler for Nyah District having a maiden over which can be crucial in the T20 format. It certainly made it difficult for the Roodogs but they prevailed and won in the final over of a thrilling T20 contest.
If Nyah District bowl like they did this weekend and have a little bit better of a batting display then they can definitely be a chance of winning the semi final and could be a serious threat in the grand final.
There is all to play for this weekend in what will be no doubt an exciting contest in both games.
