By Nicholas Creely
DDCA T20 Semi-Final Preview
There are just four teams left in the running for the prestigious DDCA Twenty20 competition with Cranbourne, Buckley Ridges, Parkfield and Berwick set to battle it out in the semi-finals on Wednesday 25 January.
In what is set to be a thrilling prelude to the Australia Day celebrations, all teams will be desperate to fire, because, well, the loser is out.
The competition to date has been even, with no team really holding an advantage over the other.
But in the format of Twenty20 cricket, anything can happen, and when it looks like the game is set to be won, a piece of magic can change a result.
Here is a preview of what to expect in this week’s epic encounters.
Cranbourne v Parkfield, 5.15pm Casey Fields
On paper it looks like the Eagles should win, but just last week in Turf 1 action, Parkfield stunned the reigning champs in a final ball thriller.
Whether it has any effect on the result is unknown, but it must be at the back of the Eagles’ mind.
It has been a strong campaign for the Eagles, with stars Matthew Chasemore and Steven Spoljaric both having brilliant tournaments.
But do they have the depth in their disposal if either of them fall early or fail to capture vital breakthroughs with the ball?
The answer is probably not, but it does have the talent.
Lucas Ligt is one to watch and has played some terrific innings, while Cam Dinger, who now plays with Casey, has provided great variety in its bowling.
On the other hand the Parkers are well-rounded and are complimented well with their consistent marquee from Casey, Dylan Hadfield.
Hadfield has been pretty vital so far, taking seven wickets at less than five per over, as well as knocking 68 runs with the bat.
And the depth is solid with Manisha Dabarera leading from the front with the bat and Joseph King in stellar form with the ball.
It will be a close game but the Eagles are deservedly favourites.
But never discount Parkfield which has been a welcome surprise in the tournament this season.
Buckley Ridges v Berwick, 5.15pm Park Oval
It’s safe to say that this match is going to be thrilling, with both teams full of match-winning stars.
The two sides are very evenly poised and are capable of being destructive with either bat or ball.
But the home ground advantage may work in the Bucks favour after their strong record at the venue previously.
For the Bears, who have got stars left, right and centre, they need to ensure they pace themselves and back their batters in.
Brutal middle-order bat Nathan Pilon could prove lethal on the small surrounds of Park Oval and the Bucks need to be wary of his ability to quickly take a game away from the opposition while bowlers Jarrod Goodes, Jarrod Armitage and James Wilcock have been the cornerstone with their relentless line.
While for the Bucks, Susantha Pradeep has had a tournament to remember with the blade, with three half-centuries so far. At the top-end he is electric and needs to be shut down.
And with Luke Fletcher, Wes Nicholas and Daniel Watson strutting their stuff with the ball, the Bucks look formidable.
It’s going to be the type of match where the toss is crucial – whichever side wins the toss needs to bat and put runs on the board immediately.
In more than 50 per cent of Twenty20 matches played in this tournament’s history, the side batting first wins.
Why?
Because it is always harder to chase with the pressure on.
And this game will be pressure-filled from the outset, with the reward being a play-off the very next week.
Who knows what Wednesday will bring but one thing is for certain, it’s that it will be electrifying!
