Ready to roll: Old Students' leading wicket taker Mohammad Shahid hopes to make an impact in round one.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Thursday marks the beginning of the Higher and Lower-grade T20 cricket competitions in the Cricket Shepparton league as an intriguing battle between A-grade battlers Old Students and B-grade juggernaut Pine Lodge highlights the first round of matches.
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Old Students have only registered two wins in the Haisman Shield this season, one against Central Park-St Brendan’s and the other versus last-placed Euroa.
But despite the disappointing results, Old Students batter Felix Odell has found a rich vein of form averaging 32.6 across his last five innings, including two 50s.
Old Students bowler Mohammad Shahid has enjoyed a consistent season, taking 17 wickets across 10 innings, only failing to take multiple wickets on three of those occasions.
In the Clyde Young Shield, Pine Lodge has been in fine form as it went on an eight-game win streak before suffering a heavy loss last round to second-placed Kyabram.
This season the Lodgers have been led in the runs column by top-order batter James Nugent who has hit 264 runs across 11 innings with two scores above 50.
Meanwhile, bowler Tiron Fernando has been electric as he sits second for wickets taken in the league on 21, with an average of 10.29.
The marquee match in the lower grade division is a top-of-the-C-grade table clash between Northerners and Invergordon Hawks, who have aptly renamed themselves the Inver FlagHawks for the T20 competition.
Northerners is yet to drop a match in C-grade after a tight five-run victory over Murchison last Saturday. Opening bowler Tim Brett seemed to be the difference for the Jets as he finished with figures of 4-21 from eight overs.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Harley Green has been the star of the show for Invergordon this season, hitting 157 runs with a top score of 86 to accompany his 11 wickets across five innings.
Considered approach: Northerners' Tim Brett will hope to continue his hot form against Invergordon.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
In other higher grade games this round, Katandras take on Numurkah in a battle between two clubs who sit fourth and sixth respectively on the Haisman Shield ladder.
Shepparton United looks to avenge its round nine loss against Kyabram at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
Central Park-St Brendan’s will take on fellow A-grade side Karramomus at Deakin Reserve.
Tatura will face a tough ask against the in-form Mooroopna at Frank Howley Oval.
And Haisman Shield ladder leader Waaia will host Northerners at Waaia Recreation Reserve.
In other lower grade matches this round, Mooroopna hosts Old Students at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
Karramomus starts as favourites in its match against Central Park-St Brendan’s at Vibert Reserve and Shepparton United will host Katandra at Princess Park.
