LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET
LVDCL
By LIAM DURKIN
THE intrepid 2021/22 cricket season is still yet to see a ball bowled in the Latrobe Valley and District Cricket League.
The league cancelled the opening round of matches late Friday, after heavy rain left ground conditions unplayable.
Given the very tight time constraints of the 2021/22 season, the LVDCL will not make-up Round 1 later in the season.
Moving into this weekend, it will be fingers crossed that the season will finally get underway.
MORWELL is slated to host Centrals.
Some big hitting all-rounders in the Tigers camp of Brendan Brincat, Blake Mills and Mark Cukier will give the Lions plenty to think about, but the visitors could hold the ace up their sleeve in
playing/coach and former Morwell player Rob Webber.
A couple of players on either side are set to play their first game for their respective teams.
Blair Clymo will more than likely bat in the top four and bowl some off breaks, while there will be plenty of interest surrounding South African recruit Reghard Hefer for Centrals, who is expected to play his shots at number four.
RAIDERS will travel to Jack Canavan to take on Traralgon West.
The challenge will be there for Traralgon West as they come up against a Raiders team that now contains express bowler Madura Perera.
The task for the Eagles might be made easier if fellow opening bowler Brad Knowles does not play. Knowles did not appear on the team sheet last week, and could be managing himself for later on in the season.
For the Traralgon West top order of Tim Fitch, Ihraam Zafar and new captain Rob Wilkie, they will no doubt be looking to embrace the challenge, while reassuring the younger players that despite the class of Perera and co, ultimately, they are just people bowling a cricket ball.
JEERALANG-BOOLARRA will play a ‘home’ game against Latrobe at Yinnar turf.
The Panthers have some new and returning players this season, while there could be some friendly fire with current Sharks player Brett Duncan coming up against his old team.
Chris Johnson was not on the Latrobe team sheet last weekend, and like Knowles, might be easing back into things. Johnson bowled predominantly off-spin before Christmas last season before returning to his usual seamers, and this could play a part in Jeeralang-Boolarra’s planning.
CHURCHILL take on Moe at Traralgon South.
The Cobras fielded what could well be the
strongest B Grade team in Gippsland cricket history last weekend, thanks to their A Grade fixture having a bye.
Churchill loaded up their seconds with Brendan Mason, Steve Warr, Ryan Harvey and Ric Velardi – players who all featured in the Premier A grand final last season.
The Lions look to be leaving nothing to chance this season, and with a great deal of work behind the scenes in getting four senior teams on the park, their depth appears to be the healthiest in the league.
Yallourn North legend Glen Sheekey is set to play his first game for Moe and should provide a good foil playing as a more than handy all rounder.
TRAFALGAR will play Mirboo North at Burrage Reserve, Newborough.
Mirboo North looked a vastly different side on paper last weekend to the one that lifted the Premier A premiership cup eight months ago.
Only Jesse Giardina, Jed Alexander and Shane Peters remained, leaving a number of positions open for the next wave.
Trafalgar however can ill-afford to take this for granted, and need to go in with the understanding that generally speaking, one-day cricket is a 50-50 contest.
CATS has the bye.
