By Nick Creely
DDCA TWENTY20 GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
BUCKLEY RIDGES v SPRINGVALE SOUTH
WHERE AND WHEN: Tuesday 25 February, Shepley Oval, Dandenong, 5.15pm
CAPTAINS: David White (Buckley Ridges) and Brett Forsyth (Springvale South)
THE KEY MEN….The star power of Buckley’s South African skipper David White is obvious; he’s spanked 265 runs this tournament at an average of 72.5 including a whirlwind 118 not out and has rarely failed when taking on the Bloods since joining the association. All-rounder Jerome Jones could be one of the biggest keys to the contest, with the West Indian quick and middle-order power hitter playing with Dandenong in this year’s Super Slam, so his exposure to Shepley Oval will be vital. Jones has completely dominated the DDCA Twenty20 tournament, with his pace with the ball and strike power with the bat a huge weapon. Champ Daniel Watson is another building into his best form after an injury interrupted season at stages and he’s no stranger to the big occasion.
For the Bloods, Ateeq Javid has had a seriously dominant Twenty20 campaign, belting scores of 88, 108, 11 and 58 to be a beacon at the top of the order. It’s not so much his ability to find the boundaries at will, but his incredible way of rotating the strike and never becoming bogged down, an important skill to have on Shepley Oval. His partner in crime at the top – the great Dandenong opener Brett Forsyth – has built a formidable record as the club’s marquee man since 2011/12, crunching over 1200 runs at an average of just under 50, and on his home ground – one that saw him win the coveted Ryder Medal on last season as well as drive bowlers into the ground with his incurable appetite for runs – will be hard to contain. Not many in the south-east – let alone Victoria – boast a record more impressive, and on the big stage he could be set to make a statement. Spinner Jarryd Straker is another Blood that is in a rich-vein of form and will suit a Shepley Oval surface that’s seen a lot of slower bowling this year.
LAST THREE GAMES:
Buckley Ridges 6/124 defeated Narre South 108; Buckley Ridges 2/203 defeated HSD 9/200; Buckley Ridges 8/155 defeated St Mary’s 9/155
Springvale South 5/133 defeated Berwick 107; Springvale South 5/123 defeated St Mary’s 78; Springvale South 4/128 defeated HSD 117
LEADING STATS:
Buckley Ridges: David White (265 runs) and Jerome Jones (12 wickets)
Springvale South: Ateeq Javid (265 runs) and Jarryd Straker (10)
TWENTY20 TITLES:
Buckley Ridges – 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2016/17
Springvale South – 2014/15, 2015/16
SELECTED SIDES
BUCKLEY RIDGES
Daniel Watson
David White (capt)
Susantha Pradeep
Jayson Hobbs
Jerome Jones
Troy Aust (wk)
Greg Todd
Matt Goodwright
Wes Nicholas
Suren Ekanayake
Connor Bowden
SPRINGVALE SOUTH
Brett Forsyth (capt)
Ateeq Javid
Ryan Quirk
Akshay Ballal
Andrew Staude
Tim Ford
Brayden Sharp
Liam Hamilton (wk)
Kallan Braid-Ball
Sam Wetering
Jarryd Straker
THE FINAL WORD:
These two powerful Dandenong District clubs and epic games of cricket go hand-in-hand.
Over the years, there’s been countless contests that have gone down in local cricketing folklore.
Nobody could forget last year’s Turf 1 grand final classic between the two clubs at Carroll Reserve – the ebbs and flows of momentum, the little defining moments, the daring and clutch centuries of David White and Nathan King, and the thrilling finish that went down to the very last hour to decide.
And now, in the shortest form of the game, the two great clubs will meet once more for a piece of silverware, and one that could be the catalyst for what’s still to come in a tight season of Turf 1 cricket where both are once again right in the hunt for the ultimate prize.
The DDCA Twenty20 tournament in 2019/20 has been one of disruptions due to the weather, but in spite of this, the Bucks and Bloods have been the two sides that have stood out the most, and at crucial times always seem to find a way to come out the other side with a victory.
In white-ball (50 over) cricket this season at Shepley Oval in Victorian Premier Cricket first XI competition, runs haven’t exactly pinged off the bat, but with the high-scoring nature of both batting groups, and their desire to find boundaries and keep the run-rate flowing at a rapid rate, the contest between some of the finest bowlers and batters in the association will be a fascinating one.
Clearly both sides’ major strength is their top-order, so winning the toss and batting – in order to get something on the board in a do-or-die final – would be the most logical decision, but the nature of how these two teams play means that regardless of which way the toss goes, they will be confident they can adapt and play to the conditions and the game situation.
The Bucks showed its got another dimension to its game in the semi-final against Narre South, only scratching out 124 and losing White in the opening over before defending its score quite comfortably after a devestating Daniel Watson spell, so the group will have supreme confidence it can find a way – whether its through a game-changing over or a couple of important boundaries – to turn the tide when things aren’t going its way.
Similar to the Bloods – who were ruthless against Berwick in the semis – they’ve at times not put together their best cricket through the tournament, but always seem to have an answer when challenged, regardless of whether their chasing or defending.
Both clubs’ supporters are some of the most passionate in the association, and one thing is for certain, they’ll both be out in force in club colours looking to bring the noise.
Bring it on!
