By Kate Withers
CRICKET
TDCA
The TDCA moves into two-day mode this weekend but not before a Friday night Twenty20 spectacular between Ex Students and Glengarry at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve.
Both teams were undefeated in their T20 matches this season and, due to wet weather, were unable to play each other earlier in the season, so Friday’s clash is shaping as a blockbuster.
Gormandale v Ex Students
Ex Students will need to reset and be in the right frame of mind as they come up against an in-form Gormandale team who are desperate to stake their claim as the team to beat for season 2018/19.
The Sharks welcome back Jordy Gilmore who has returned to full fitness after suffering an ankle injury.
Gilmore’s return to the top order is huge for the defending champions and bolsters their scoring potential, leaving them capable of making more than 300 in the longer format.
There is plenty of interest surrounding the Gormandale batsmen and whether strokemakers like Adrian Burgiel and Chris Lehner will continue to bat like millionaires or rein it in and bat time.
The key to this match will be whether the young Ex Students bowlers can hold their nerve under pressure bowling at Gormandale’s top order.
If the Sharks’ young quicks can get the job done then Ex Students will be well set up to win.
Imperials v Toongabbie
Another tantalising match this weekend is Imperials taking on Toongabbie at LVBS Oval.
Imperials spinners love the difficult deck at Catterick Crescent and Brad Sizeland is in great touch and is geared up to take a couple on home soil.
What might spoil the party for Imperials’ spin trio is the wet weather, which will make the wicket better suited to quick bowling, but the home team’s quicks shouldn’t be underestimated after young opening bowler Mitch Bulmer took a four-wicket haul against Region 7 powerhouse Sale Maffra last Sunday.
Toongabbie have been going under the radar this season but are a seriously good team with plenty of depth with both bat and ball.
Rovers v Glengarry
Glengarry travels to Duncan Cameron Park to face Rovers with the young hosts still looking for their first win of the season.
Rovers have been slowly building into the season and will relish the chance to bat 80 overs, especially on the batsmen-friendly DCP wicket.
This is the game where Rovers will fire and young skipper Dougal Williams is the batsman most likely to make a good score.
Williams is leading his team in both runs and wickets this season.
On the other hand, Glengarry have an in-form Frank Marks at their disposal, who will be aiming to bat plenty of overs and post a big score.
This should be an even match and will showcase some of the best players in the competition.
On a flat wicket there should be some big scores made across the two days and some great cricket on display.
