By Nick Creely
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
DANDENONG PANTHERS – DOUBLE-HEADER PREVIEW
ROUND 3
Dandenong vs Melbourne University
Saturday 15 October, 11am, Shepley Oval
THE Panthers got their Premier campaign off to a solid start, defeating Monash Tigers by four wickets.
Dandenong now host Melbourne University on Saturday in the first game of the weekend’s double-headers.
Melbourne University easily accounted for Geelong last week and will take great confidence out of their victory.
The Panthers were excellent with the ball last week, and will need to apply similar pressure to Melbourne’s batsman to ensure they are in the hunt for victory.
Bowlers such as Justin Butterfield, Adam McMaster, James Nanopoulos and Callum Parkinson will be crucial and need to plug away and take constant wickets, while with the bat, Lincoln Edwards, fresh off a brilliant 70 not out last week, Tom Donnell, Brett Forsyth and Ed Newman must continue with the momentum that allowed them to easily chase down the Tigers total of 172 last week.
ROUND 4
Fitzroy Doncaster vs Dandenong
Sunday 16 October, 11am, Schramms Reserve
THE Panthers will then travel to Schramms Reserve to take on the Lions in what is going to be a massive challenge for the club.
The Lions, who won last year’s premiership, started their flag defence on a sour note, and will be desperate to get their game going this weekend.
Dandenong will be wary of champion batsman Peter Dickson, Lloyd Mash and Matthew Frith, and will need to bowl at their best to curtail the star trio.
But Dandenong will be confident they can ruffle some feathers away from home, similar to Round 2, and will back themselves in to strike a blow into the Lions season.
Dandenong Squad
The squad may change for Sunday’s game
2016/17 First XI statistics
Tom Donnell 1 match, 11 runs, Avg. 11, HS 11
Brett Forsyth 1 match, 32 runs, Avg. 32, HS 32
James Pattinson N/A
Lincoln Edwards 1 match, 70 runs, Avg. 70, HS 70
James Nanopoulos 1 match, 24 runs, Avg. 24, HS 24, 2 wickets, Avg 15.5, BB 2/31, ECN 3.8
Callum Parkinson 1 match, 9 runs, Avg. 9, HS 9, 2 wickets, Avg. 14, BB 2/28, ECN 2.8
Peter Sweeney 1 match, DNB, 0 wickets, Avg. NA, BB 0/13, ECN 4.3
Jacques Augustin (wk) 1 match, 6 runs, Avg. NA, HS 6*
Adam McMaster 1 match, DNB, 1 wicket, Avg. 40, BB 1/40, ECN 4.4
Peter Cassidy 1 match, DNB, 0 wickets, Avg. NA, BB 0/24, ECN 2.4
Justin Butterfield 1 match, DNB, 2 wickets, Avg 14.5, BB 2/29, ECN 2.9
Dandenong players to watch:
Recruit Lincoln Edwards is shaping as an important player for the Panthers this season. Edwards made 70 not out in Round 2’s victory, and seems to be relishing the opportunity to play at Premier Level. All-rounder James Nanopoulos did it all in Round 2, and will be crucial to the Panthers this weekend. Young spinner Callum Parkinson is important in the middle-overs and after impressing with 2/28 last week, will look to back it up against Melbourne Uni and Fitzroy.
Dandenong must continue on with the momentum of Round 2, and look to unsettle the competition.
They are talented, possess some quality veterans and will back themselves in to go 3-0.
