Sport
2 February, 2024
St Marys eye victory against Birchip
St Marys will look to get their second win of the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association when they travel to Birchip for round 11.
Last time these two teams played, St Marys lost by 35 runs. They were bowled out for 133 chasing 168 for victory with Paul Rowe scoring 73 in the chase.
This time around their bowlers are in better shape buoyed by the return to form of Brodie Dennes. Dennes took three wickets last Saturday against BrimKSH and if the bowlers can replicate what they did the first time around with Nicholas Germano taking 5/38 alongside Chad Hartnett, 2/29, Colby Schmidt 2/23, they can restrict the Swans to a low total.
Dennes, however, hurt his back on the weekend and is a game-time decision. Paul Rowe won't be playing so Leigh Somers comes back in the lineup for the first time since round three due to harvest.
Missing Rowe will hurt, but Schmidt said it's all about keeping your wicket.
"The longer you bat, the more likely you are to get runs," he said.
"Birchip is a big ground and it's hard to find boundaries but you can find massive gaps and it is easier to score on those grounds.
"We just can't afford to lose a lot of wickets and bat out our 40 overs and if we can put on 150/160 then we have every chance of taking the win."
BrimKSH hosts Marnoo at the Brim Recreation Reserve. After sealing a top-two spot, they will now look to fine-tune and get into form ahead of finals. Marnoo currently has three wins for the season and on paper look outclassed, but cricket is a funny game and anything can happen.
BrimKSH wicket-keeper Matthew Crisp says there is no room for complacency and that they will be coming out firing.
"It's fantastic to secure the top two spot and be guaranteed a home final, but it doesn't stop there," he said.
"We need to keep working on getting our batting right and giving the guys that haven't scored much a chance to score.
"We will keep the momentum going so to do that we will be going in strong to every match."
When asked if Isaac McPherson not batting last week was planned, Crisp said it was as it gave players a chance to score runs.
"We decided to give those guys a bit of a run out in the middle as it's important to make sure everyone is scoring runs," he said.
"We can't rely on one or two players. As a team, we all need to contribute. Hopefully Isaac doesn't have to bat this week."
They will be without Tim Bell, Jeremy Preston and Chris McPherson so it gives a chance to some players from B-Grade to come up and perform.
In the other match, Donald Jeffcott will look to remain unbeaten when they host St Arnaud at the Donald Recreation Reserve.
In the B-Grade, Charlton host BrimKSH at Charlton Park, Southern Mallee Giants take on Watchem at Hopetoun Recreation Reserve and St Marys host Birchip at Anzac Park. Donald Jeffcott has the bye.
BrimKSH and St Marys are both bottom of the ladder with two wins. Charlton and Birchip are second and third on the ladder respectively so both teams face an uphill battle to secure a victory.