EG Weekend edition 17

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WEEKEND CRICKET

March 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend Wests and Tussocks battle for glory

West Bairnsdale and Meerlieu will chase ultimate glory in the 2023/2024 Bairnsdale Cricket Association grand final at the Orbost Recreation Reserve on Saturday. In a season where most sides form has fluctuated and finals berths were in dispute right up the final day of the home and away season, the consistent performing Wests and Tussocks will rightfully play off for their place in history. Meerlieu will go into match as favourites, despite only sneaking into finals in the final round at the expense of Lakes Entrance. It is worth mentioning they would have been in the top four if not for a deduction of points due to late payment of affiliation fees. Meerlieu has a formidable batting line led by busy skipper, Rohan Blandord, who gets outstanding support from big game player, Reagan Kyle and classy all rounder, Frankie Mostert, who added another Bairnsdale Advertiser Cricketer of the Year to resume on Monday night. Nicholas Adendorff, Matt Busch, Anthony

There’s been no easy matches this season, with the even competition sides have had to work hard to bank vital points, so you can be assured the side holding up the cup on Sunday night has earned the right to call themselves the competitions best. THE MATCHES “A” grade: West Bairnsdale v Meerlieu at Orbost Recreation Reserve. “A” reserve: West Bairnsdale v Metung Swan Reach at Hudson Alvin Oval. “B” grade: Orbost v Buchan at Bruthen Recreation Reserve. “C” grade: Lindenow South Glenaladle v Lakes Entrance at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve. UMPIRES Grand final appointments: “A” grade: Chris Websdale and Martin Blennerhassett. “A” reserve: Don Haley and Damien Tubb. “B” grade: Ron Smith and John Hine. “C” grade: Chris Moreland and Dave Kinsey.

Meerlieu’s formidable total of 215 in its round five victory. Mostert will do a lot of the heavy lifting with the ball for the Tussocks, he will toil hard and enjoy the extra life Orbost will offer, and is usually well rewarded with wickets at miserly run rate. The revelation last week was veteran leg spinner, Adam Cairns, it will be interesting to see how he is suited to bowling on the Orbost wicket. Cairns bowled with great control last week, he has played sparingly this season and it will be interesting to see how he butters up two weeks in a row. Busch, Simon Hunter and Adendorff can also expect plenty of work, the latter might be the wildcard with ball, though the young South African recruit has been used sparingly in recent weeks, with injury an obvious reason. In the sides other meeting for the year, the Tussocks got home in round 11 at the Bairnsdale Oval in round 11 by just eight runs.

Simpson and Justin Morgan are all more than capable of making solid contributions, which often pushes the Tussocks over 200, which the side batting first will be looking at setting its opponent. West is now slouch with the ball, with Jack Lind, Ryan Halford, Jake Anderson, Patrick Halford, and spinners, Brodie Anderson and Chris Hammond more than capable, but the big question is can they knock over all the Tussocks guns and make the required runs. Lind will be keen for a big game and one suspects he will be more suited to bowling on the faster and bouncer pitch at Orbost than some of wickets he’s had to operate in 2023/2024 at Bairnsdale City Oval. The competition’s batting average winner, Brodie Anderson, is the constant for West at the top of the order, he bats long periods of times, but if West are to get over the line they will need a solid buy in from Sam Stewart, the talented Tom Hudson, skipper Ryan Halford and the more than capable keeper, Sam Watts, who belted a century when Wests chased down

KEY PLAYER - Frankie Mostert (Meerlieu) - he’s the premier all rounder in the competition, who rarely has a bad day with bat or ball, can be almost guaranteed he will take five wickets or more and score 30 or more on the big stage of the grand final. If he stars and has a day out with the bat, the Tussocks will get over the line. (PS)

KEY PLAYER - Rohan Blandford (Meerlieu) has had a huge season and was pivotal in the semi-final victory, he refuses to be tied down and will take the game right up to West, if he goes big Meerlieu will win. (PS)

KEY PLAYER - Ryan Halford (West Bairnsdale), the skipper is a key component of West side with both bat and ball, was filthy to get out last week and will be keen to make a significant contribution this week. Has been a prolific wicket taker all season and will be looking for bag on the biggest stage. (PS)

KEY PLAYER - Brodie Anderson (West Bairnsdale), has a huge appetite for batting and capable of spending huge amounts of time in the middle, if his team mates can bat around him, West might make enough runs to trouble even Meerlieu. (PS)