Barbour key to victory

Traralgon and District Cricket Association teams have put away the pyjamas as the opening one day rounds finish and will don the whites and pick up the red ball this weekend for the first two-day matches of the season.

The match of the round this week will be played at Churchill with Gormandale heading to George Cain Reserve to play on the flattest track in the league.

The Cobras will be looking to make amends on their home turf after going down to Ex Students last round.

The key in this game for both clubs will be Gormandale’s Shaun Barbour, who will have to prepare to bowl 25 or more overs in the match.

If Churchill can keep him out early and limit his impact in the wicket column, it could set the Cobras up for a big score.

If he makes those early breakthroughs he will give the Tigers a big chance.

Ex Students host former Traralgon Recreation Reserve co-tenants Traralgon West this week.

The Sharks’ batsmen are in some good touch, with Leigh Stockdale (50), James Pryde (66) and Jackson McMahon (58) the standouts in Ex Students‘ mammoth 6/301 effort against Churchill on Saturday.

The Eagles lost last round despite a spectacular display with the ball against Rovers.

Traralgon West had its opponents 5/50 before Rovers struggled to 108.

In response, the Eagles were all out for 83 in the 39th over and will hope for a better performance this week to keep the Sharks at bay.

Imperials will travel to Glengarry hoping to get its season back on track after it was rolled for 66 on Saturday.

Glengarry lost both its opening fixtures this season and needs to lift, otherwise its season could slip away.

Last year this game was tight with Glengarry pinching the win.

Expect no different this year as both clubs seek redemption from last round.

Both team captains have to lead from the front and post big individual totals this game to get their clubs back on track with a win.

Toongabbie head to Duncan Cameron Park to play against former teammate, Rovers captain Kev Stoddart.

The Rams’ line up is well balanced with a lot of experience and cricket smarts. Toongabbie skipper Aaron Lynch was excellent last week against Imperials – using his bowlers and his fields well to create pressure – which, if continued, the Rovers’ batsmen will struggle with.

Rovers will be hoping Todd Mann comes back from injury for this match, otherwise Stoddarts‘ first game against his old club might be a long and painful one.

CATS take on Centrals at Stoddart Park and with both clubs coming off a win confidence will be sky high.

CATS’ top order was good in its first hit of the season with top three Jamie Cochrane, Josh Keyhoe and Ben Julin combining for 100 runs.

The Centrals’ batsmen have not fired yet and will need to in this game with CATS’ bowling attack being its strength. If Centrals can stop the new CATS spinning duo of Julin and Vaughan Penrose then it will get the win, but fail in that task and CATS will go two from two.