Sport
30 November, 2023
Top two clash at Dunolly
True Blue Floors Oval will host a blockbuster clash bet-ween both remaining unde-feated one-day teams on Saturday, when Beaufort travel to Laanecoorie Dunolly. It’s a fascinating matchup between two teams that are clearly playing very well at the...
True Blue Floors Oval will host a blockbuster clash bet-ween both remaining unde-feated one-day teams on Saturday, when Beaufort travel to Laanecoorie Dunolly.
It’s a fascinating matchup between two teams that are clearly playing very well at the moment, and have emerged as the two teams to beat in the 40-over format.
How Beaufort will play after two weeks out of action will be of great intrigue.
It was a shame that weather played its part in denying the matchup between the Crows and Clunes last week, undoubtedly a game which would have greatly shaped the outlook of the one-day table.
Had the Crows won that game, they would have all-but secured a spot in the grand final.
Instead, they’ll most likely need to secure one win in their last two games to secure their spot in their first decider since the 2021 T20 grand final.
The Crows have had their work cut out in their opening two games of the one-day campaign, but clearly, they are enjoying chasing down targets, having negotiated a chase of 182 against Colts Phelans, before a strong chase of 185 in just 31.3 overs against Carisbrook.
From a batting perspective, they’ve had a very even top and middle order do their job, with Lachlan Oddie guiding them to their win against Colts with an unbeaten 75, while Kriss Ellis and Jack Smith played key roles against Carisbrook, scoring 57 and 40 respectively.
Despite conceding two scores above 180, a point of difference in their bowling stocks in the one-day arena has been Blake Jantzen, who is currently equal top of the wicket-taking charts in the one-day game alongside Laane’s Joe Lovel with seven.
From Laane’s perspective, they are looking very comfortable with the willow at the moment, chasing down two totals with ease, while scoring 4/228 when batting first against Clunes.
Laane are scoring at a touch under a run a ball throughout their three games at this stage, sitting at 5.78.
Star batsman Luke Smith has stamped his authority in his last two one-day games, scoring 129 runs, while captain Matt Smith had a dominant outing against Clunes, scoring an unbeaten 87.
Laane will be most pleased with the output of youngster Lovel over his last two games, having taken six wickets, while also scoring 38 runs without losing his wicket, including a brisk 28 in their win against Colts two weeks ago.
With Laane almost certainly into the grand final thanks to a very healthy quotient, they’ll be hoping to make a statement against the Crows, as well as take a comfortable victory this time around.
In their round six T20 clash, great bowling from Luke, who took 4/9, helped restrict Beaufort to 6/100 off their 20 overs, with Oddie the only Beaufort batsman to capitalise on a good pitch with an unbeaten 37.
In response, it was the Crows’ young brigade who helped restrict Laane to 4/55, with Cooper Cahill taking three wickets, and Ben Grant taking two.
But Laane were able to get the job done with 34 balls to spare.