As Australia gets swept up in Ashes fever this week, the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association players aim to emulate the likes of Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Joe Root and James Anderson this Saturday to score a much-wanted early Christmas present in what shapes up to be a thrilling finish to the fifth round of the Hoggies Wines Barber Shield.
The results of all three games are in the balance and climax of each battle will have a profound impact on the ladder as players prepare to put their feet up and watch cricket on the television during their break.
Fighting for the ladder lead are Penola and West Gambier at McCorquindale Park and the home side appears to be in the stronger position.
A Drew Clayfield ton helped the Eagles soar to 5/245 off its 80 overs and give the bowlers more than enough runs to bowl at.
In the previous red ball battle between the foes, a Michael Waters bag of four helped Penola defend 137.
However, a lot has changed in the two years since that contest and the Roos will back themselves to chase down the target after posting 255 batting second away from home against reigning premier North Sportsman’s.
The conditions above and below may favour the batters, but West may be a touch concerned about its batting depth this weekend.
Last round’s century maker Connor Prior is not available this weekend and his strong 45-degree bat face defensive technique will be replaced by the slashing blade of Kyal Chapman.
The players could not be further apart style wise, but if Chapman gets a couple out of the middle, the Penola fielders will be ducking for cover and it could prove to be a masterstroke.
Runs proved much harder to score at Blue Lake Sports Park and a low-scoring thriller is in store between South Gambier and Mil Lel.
With both sides locked at one win apiece, victory could prove the difference between finals and an early finish come season’s end, so the pressure will be on for the entire afternoon.
Fourteen wickets have already fallen after the opening day and Mil Lel must stop that trend if it is to score a second successive win.
After restricting the Demons to 146, Mil Lel started its run chase in unconvincing fashion, losing four wickets before stumps.
The biggest blow was the loss of Sehwag-like opener Will Rowland, who is the only man to reach double figures as the likes of Jakob Opie, Robert Drenthen and Stephen Easterbrook all looked threatening with the shiny Kookaburra.
However, Mil Lel bats deep with captain Jack Miller listed at nine, but he hopes his services will not be required as young gun Darcy Williamson and cool head Nick Walters will be the first men to face the music in the pursuit of the 83 runs required for victory.
Old foes East Gambier and North Sportsman’s are also in another absorbing battle at Scott Park.
Half centuries by Declan Kenny and Nick McInerney guided the Tigers to a solid 211, but they will look to make an even bigger impact with ball in hand when play resumes.
Both sides will be looking for redemption after a disappointing opening to the two-day segment of the summer.
The Bulldogs mowed down under-par totals in the three one-day rounds to open the season, but failed to chase 234 against Mil Lel last round being undone by the swinging ball.
Meanwhile, North’s attack could not stop West from eclipsing its 178 and hopes an extra 30 odd runs on the board will make the difference.
Dion Stratford and Travis Younghusband v McInerney and Elliott Fisher could be key one-on-one battles.
