Sport
29 February, 2024
In-form Colts and Laane meet
The two leading teams of the two-day competition will meet in an early finals preview at Hedges Oval. Laanecoorie Dunolly will be hoping to continue their red-hot form which saw them score 402 runs against Carisbrook two weeks ago, while Colts...
The two leading teams of the two-day competition will meet in an early finals preview at Hedges Oval.
Laanecoorie Dunolly will be hoping to continue their red-hot form which saw them score 402 runs against Carisbrook two weeks ago, while Colts Phelans, despite conceding 307 two weeks ago against Clunes themselves, still lead the points tally from the two-day competition with 24, which has helped them cement their spot in the finals, beginning in two weeks time.
It’s a fascinating battle between a team which loves to attack with both bat and ball against one which prefers a more defensive setup.
Laane had a multitude of stars play well with the bat two weeks ago to leave them in the best form possible going into the finals, with Luke Smith making the best possible return with his first 100 of the season, scoring 108.
Incredibly, while Smith is averaging 104.4 from his 522 runs, he still doesn’t boast the best batting average in the league. Instead, that honour currently resides with Laane teammate Zach Graham, who current averages 126 from his 252 runs for the season.
Laane, indeed, boast six players who have scored over 200 runs for the season — that being Luke and Matt Smith, Tom Hannett, Graham, Sergio Rosier and Sam Bartlett.
Colts, in comparison, have just two, with Rhys Wagstaff and Dave Robinson doing the job this season with the bat.
But Colts’ strengths have lied with the ball this season, and they’ll be hoping to quell the influence of Laane’s strong top and middle order.
Dayne Baker and Nick Henderson have shouldered a lot of the load this season, bowling the most and second-most overs in the competition, and have combined for 42 wickets as a result.
Robinson has also been a key contributor, taking 13 wickets for the season.
All three will need to be at their best if Colts are to trouble Laane, and they’ll also be hoping for more strike options to come to the party, such as Riley Govan, Harrison Kurzke and, in recent weeks, Ben Stubbings.
