Players and fans can brace themselves for some unmissable cricket this Saturday when the penultimate round of the 2021/22 Hoggies Wines Barber Shield draws to a thrilling conclusion.
After ball dominated bat on the opening day last week, the results of all three games are still up in the air at the halfway mark and with so much riding on the line, no team can afford to take a backward step.
At the time of print it is unclear whether the Country Cup players would be available to return to their usual spots after being sent to isolation following the tournament last week.
But even if the teams are forced to persist without full strength XI’s, the battle will still be on for young and old.
The first hour of the second day will decide the Mil Lel v West Gambier.
Defending the middling score of 137, the Roos needed some magic with the ball as Mil Lel steadily crept towards the favourite’s tag.
After top scoring with the bat, allrounder Sam Willis answered the call taking two big wickets on the final over of the day, plus perfecting a run out to bring his team back in the game.
Willis also pushed the Roos home to the Dycer Constructions Big Bash title at the same venue on Sunday, so will charge in hunting for more success with his tail up.
Mil Lel’s hopes of an important first-innings victory rest on the shoulders of Darcy Williamson and Jack Miller.
The pair managed to see out Willis’ assault and being the last recognised batters in the XI, must score at least half of the 61 runs required for a fighting win.
Country Cup representative and key batter Will Rowland is the wildcard having been named on the team sheet and could return if out of isolation.
Penola unexpectedly welcomed North Sportsman’s to McCorquindale Park last weekend and its bowlers must step up to defend home turf.
The Eagles’ form is dropping at the wrong time of the season and their undermanned batting order could only muster 131 runs from 71.2 overs at crease on the opening day.
On an old-fashioned afternoon the ageless George Kidman showed when there is a will, there is a way and grinded out a gritty 35.
Alongside him was the equally patient Lachlan Jones, who will be required to step up with the ball if his partner in crime Michael Waters cannot take the field.
Jones can charge in all day and cause headaches with his left-arm angle, while fellow southpaw Kidman will also be a key player to watch.
Kidman claimed the big wicket of Brad Robinson on the stroke of stumps and will be licking his lips on a surface where North’s tweaker Michael Johnston enjoyed himself.
Johnston will be one of the big bats the Tigers hope can chase down the 124 runs required for victory.
With Jake Schutz and Matthew Robinson taking guard first up, North will be backing its top order to seal the much-needed win under the hot sun, but the Eagles will cut off as many scoring options as possible.
After knocking over South Gambier for an even 100, East Gambier would have held all of the confidence in the world to secure victory at Scott Park.
But after the loss of four quick wickets late on the first day, the result is not so certain.
The Bulldogs will resume their innings at 4/44 with a lot of work still to do.
Stand-in skipper Ben Hentschke has been a more than adequate replacement for his brother and will hope to lead his team to glory.
Hentschke will reestablish his stand with Emerson Marks with the knowledge East remain in front of the game with prolific scorers such as Dion Stratford, Steven Cameron, Ben Robinson and Travis Younghusband still to come.
One thing in the Demons’ favour is East’s tendency to wobble at times when chasing low scores and Jakob Opie enjoyed some success with the new ball.
A big factor in the batter’s corner this weekend is the weather with temperatures soaring into the mid thirties forecast for Saturday afternoon.
