By Nick Creely
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 5 PREVIEW
Dandenong vs Greenvale Kangaroos
Ladder Positions: Dandenong (3-0, 1st) v Greenvale (1-2, 12th)
Saturday 22 October, 11am, Shepley Oval
THE Panthers are sky-high on confidence, after two crushing wins in last weekend’s Premier double-header.
What was most impressive in the wins was the clinical style in which the Panthers were able to dismantle their opposition.
With the weather set to be a factor on Saturday, it’s looking as if both bowling sides will need to fire in overcast and windy conditions.
Greenvale is once again struggling, but the side still possesses some real quality in the form of Sunam Gautam, Nathan Massey and Zaheer Hussain, who have started the year in fine form with the bat.
But the Panthers’ pace legion, courtesy of Justin Butterfield, Adam McMaster, Peter Cassidy and James Nanopolous present a dangerous threat.
Young spinner Callum Parkinson looks like a solid investment for the Panthers, and has been a revelation in the middle-overs so far in the one-dayers.
Whether James Pattinson bowls this weekend is another story, but if he does, it will be exciting to watch him in full flight.
Gun opening pair Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth will once again be the cornerstone of the Panthers batting line-up.
Donnell, in particular, played a magical knock last Saturday, and if he can repeat his heroics, a win is virtually inevitable.
Dandenong have been unable to get much exposure to its middle-order, with Lincoln Edwards, James Nanopoulos, Callum Parkinson and Jacques Augustin yet to really show what they are capable of.
The Panthers have some incredible depth in their batting stocks, and will be looking to continue their perfect start to the season.
DANDENONG
First XI side 2016/17 First XI statistics
Tom Donnell (capt) 3 matches, 149 runs, Avg 74.50, HS 114*
Brett Forsyth 3 matches, 135 runs, Avg 67.50, HS 74*
Edward Newman 2 matches, 85 runs, Avg 85.00, HS 71*
Lincoln Edwards 3 matches, 70 runs, Avg NA, HS 70*
Callum Parkinson 3 matches, 9 runs, Avg 9, HS 9, 4 wickets, Avg 23.25, BB 2/28
James Pattinson 2 matches, has not batted, has not bowled
James Nanopoulos 3 matches, 24 runs, Avg 24, HS 24, 8 wickets, Avg 10.25, BB 4/22
Jacques Augustin (wk) 3 matches, 6 runs, Avg NA, HS 6*
Adam McMaster 3 matches, has not batted, 4 wickets, Avg 28.00, BB 3/46
Peter Cassidy 3 matches, has not batted, 5 wickets, Avg 17.60, BB 3/30
Justin Butterfield 3 matches, has not batted, 4 wickets, Avg 18.75, BB 2/29
Players to watch:
Dandenong all-rounder James Nanopoulos is growing in stature and has had a very impressive start to the season. After making an impressive 24 in the opening round, it’s been his bowling where he has been able to truly shine. He has taken eight wickets thus far and caused serious headaches for the opposition batsman. Batsman Edward Newman looks to have cemented his spot after an impressive 71no last Sunday, and is one to continue to watch for the Panthers this season.
Greenvale spearhead Aaron Smillie is one to watch for the Panthers, having started the season in impressive fashion. Opener Sunam Gautam is another Kangaroo itching for a big score, having teased with scores of 40 and 51 in the opening rounds. The Panthers will need to ensure they dislodge the attacking batsman early, before he gets going and causes some damage.
The Panthers are favourites and deserve to be for a reason.
They have played some clinical cricket in the early stages of this season, but need to maintain the hunger and intensity that has seen them rise to the top of the ladder after four rounds.
The Panthers are an exciting team, and a win against Greenvale is the perfect tonic for a serious assault at their first finals campaign for a few years.
