With last season’s Goulburn Murray Cricket A-grade competition made up entirely of one-dayers, tomorrow marks the return of the quintessential two-day match.
It’s the first of three two-day rounds this season, with the others coming in the final two rounds of the home-and-away fixture.
Kicking things off tomorrow will be Moama and Nondies Cohuna, with the former coming in hot off two solid wins in a row.
Competition newby Nondies Cohuna is sporting a 1-1 record, though needs to find a way to account for Moama’s reliable run-getters Jack Russell and Fraser Buchanan.
Echuca South will be gunning for its first win of the season, but must first contend with Bamawm Lockington United.
The home ground advantage could favour the Swans, with BLU losing its sole away game of the season so far.
But BLU’s line-up has what it takes to win, with Sandun Ranathunga in ripping form with both bat and ball, while Luke Thompson was a machine last week, snaring 5-5.
The side also has some talented teens in Liam Hamilton and Cody Thompson, with co-captain Joe Holloway confident they will take to the two-day game well.
South in comparison enjoyed a better effort with the bat in round four, following low scores in its first two games.
But its bowling attack has been yet to stand up and fully dismantle a team; the closest it’s come being the ninth wicket.
Echuca will head into its away game with Cooma as the genuine favourite.
But after Cooma’s upset win over Kyabram Fire Brigade last week, anything could be possible here.
Echuca has the deeper line-up, with opening batter Curtis Townrow in blistering form. Although the question will be: does his style, which favours T20 power hitting, comfortably fit in the two-day format?
Teammates Matt Hinks and Taylor Beard put together a quality partnership last week, and will be called upon again to shepherd the team deep in their innings.
Leitchville-Gunbower is coming off the bye and will be raring to pounce on a wounded Rochester, which suffered a tough loss to competition leader Echuca in round four.
The Tigers’ batting line-up needs to start ticking over again, after having an off week against Echuca.
Captain Sean Williams is a key figure for Rochester and will be eager to feast on any loose balls, while Charlie Ryan and Dylan Cuttriss will be hungry to make up for the previous round.
GMC A-grade round five (December 11 with 12.30pm start)
Moama v Nondies Cohuna (Moama Recreation Reserve).
Echuca South v Bamawm Lockington United (Echuca South Recreation Reserve).
Cooma v Echuca (Cooma Recreation Reserve).
Rochester v Leitchville-Gunbower (Windridge Oval, Rochester).
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