Sport
8 February, 2024
Close encounter expected at Beaufort
The season of both Carisbrook and Beaufort could come down to tomorrow’s play at Goldfields Reserve. With Beaufort needing 50 runs to take first innings points, and Carisbrook requiring six wickets, there is plenty on the line for both teams, who...
The season of both Carisbrook and Beaufort could come down to tomorrow’s play at Goldfields Reserve.
With Beaufort needing 50 runs to take first innings points, and Carisbrook requiring six wickets, there is plenty on the line for both teams, who will be hoping to secure their first win of the two-day competition.
Thomas Grant will start unbeaten on 14 for the Crows, while Joe Kingsbury, who has been in some good batting form this season, will start unbeaten on four.
There are still some good options in the shed for the Crows, with the likes of Kriss Ellis, Ben Woolidge and Shannon Brown still able to put together good innings where required.
Kingsbury will also be full of confidence, having averaged 31 with the bat this season, and also batting with terrific poise against Laanecoorie Dunolly, bringing up a well-deserved 50, while also taking five wickets on day one.
Beaufort have also shown a dogged attitude towards their cricket when their backs have been against the wall, having fought hard to gain respectability on the scoreboard from less-than-ideal positions in their first two games against Colts Phelans and Laane.
But Carisbrook do have an ace up their sleeve in their hopes to defend 93, with the return of Ritik Yadav paying big dividends last week.
Yadav’s ability to bowl off-spin and leg-spin has bamboozled opposition batsmen in his first two games, and again came to Carisbrook’s rescue last week by taking 3/10 off 16 overs, which included nine maidens.
Already, Yadav is making a name for himself as one of the hardest bowlers to score off in the competition — his 16 maidens already ranked equal fourth in the competition from just two games and 38 overs of bowling.
Of course, Carisbrook have good options who will be able to provide wickets.
Dean Nalder has bowled supremely well this season, leading the way with 10 wickets, and although he only bowled four overs on day one, will look to make an impact on the Crows’ run chase.
Lucas Hurse has also proven to be a good option in recent weeks, and has taken a wicket already in this game — that of Charlie Dyer, who came into this game in very good form in A reserve.