Tonight’s final round of the Dycer Constructions Big Bash season will be crucial, with four sides having registered two wins and two losses thus far.
East Gambier currently sits second with West Gambier in third with both sides having an even win-loss ratio.
Tonight’s winner stands a very good chance of proceeding to finals and perhaps even straight to the grand final, but for the loser it will be the end of the competition.
East Gambier will be desperate to make it to the final match of the season after a heartbreaking loss last year.
The result will be dependent on the sides playing to their strengths, for East Gambier it will know that its bowling is stronger than its batting.
The Doggies attack will need to take early wickets and restrict West to a low total.
While for West Gambier it knows it has an explosive batting line-up that can score quickly, and if it can get off to a quick start then it could take the game away from East early.
While the match is too close to call at the moment both sides have looked shaky in the shorter format.
Expect a tight contest between bat and ball and the match to go down to the wire as both sides hope to keep their season alive.
North Sportsman’s v South Gambier
North Sportsman’s is coming off its first loss of the season and if the side can get a win at Marist Park against South Gambier then it will go straight through to the Big Bash grand final.
North won three games straight but fell agonisingly short against East Gambier last round, losing by just one run.
The Tigers will hope they can bounce back and secure top place ahead of the finals.
South Gambier is fighting to keep its season alive, the reigning champion sits on two wins and two losses and will need a win if it is to participate in finals.
The Demons currently sit fourth but a win could see the side jump into the top three, but even that may not be enough.
South will need to win by as much as possible to give itself a better chance.
Coming off good scores in recent weeks Stephen Easterbrook and David Somerfield will be important for South, as the side will need to score big against a strong North bowling attack.
Robert Drenthen will also have a role to play with ball and bat as he hopes to guide his side to another big bash final.
Elliot Fisher and Nick McInerney will be important with both bat and ball for North, as Tim Young hopes to provide early wickets.
Penola v Mil Lel
Mil Lel and Penola enter the final match of the season in a do or die scenario, with Penola knowing that finals will be a miracle after a slow start to the season.
The match sees fifth taking on sixth at McCorquindale Park, and it has massive stakes for both teams’ seasons.
After losing three of the first four matches Penola will need everything to go its way if it is to play in the Big Bash finals.
North Sportsman’s will have to win and Penola will need a big win if it is to play finals, for Mil Lel a win should be enough to climb into the top three, however other games’ results could disrupt this.
Zac Zema and Michael Waters will be important with the ball for the home side as genuine wicket takers, while the visitors will be hoping that Jack Miller and Mitchell Douglas can provide important breakthroughs.
Jack Mullan and James Alexander both had good starts in the previous round against South Gambier, but if Penola is to win then one must go on for a big score this time around.
Mil Lel will want to see William Rowland and Jarrod Sanders spend lots of time at the crease, Rowland in particular can score quickly and could take the game away from Penola in the blink of an eye.
Both sides are desperate for the win, expect the teams to be at the best in a high pressure match of Big Bash cricket.
