Swordsman: Pinch hitter Kyle Mueller may return for Hurley's Hotel Hounds this Sunday.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
This Sunday the region’s premier cricketers will shed their traditional whites and throw on a splash of colour as the Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League returns for round two.
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Following an action-soaked opener at Bendigo’s Kangaroo Flat, the four franchise teams hit Deakin Reserve for another six-hitting, stump-splaying affair in the T20 format.
Some tantalising match-ups are on the cards; that’s a guarantee.
SRP Mud Dogs will look to augment a perfect start when meeting Sporties Spitfires in the middle.
Spitfires, GVBBL’s nascent candidate, walked away from Kangaroo Flat with an at-the-death two-wicket win over Hurley’s Hotel Hounds and boast enormous hitting power through the industry of James Seymour and Chris Thewlis.
But the Mud Dogs have a trick up their sleeve.
Team manager Peter Holland rolled through the changes from round one, indicating a fresh-look Mud Dogs will feature at Deakin Reserve.
He noted Richmond and Victorian state representative Will Parker joins the ranks alongside Kew import Sam Pearce, as do Koonung Heights duo Andrew Chalkley and Jeremy Musso.
Mud Dogs’ Sandhurst ring-ins from round one will make way for the incoming talent, while the likes of Tyler Larkin and Taylor Beard will hold their posts.
However, the best inclusion may be left for last.
Race against time: SRP Mud Dogs are working furiously to get Western Bulldogs’ blessing so Alex Keath can play on Sunday.
Photo by
Holly Curtis
“We’re still waiting on whether Alex Keath is playing. We’re waiting on clearance from Western Bulldogs, so he’s very much a possibility,” Holland said.
“We did have Fergus O’Neill playing for us, but he’s just got a Big Bash contract with the Renegades as of this week.
“We’re still trying to replace him at the moment.”
Holland also relished the re-ignition of an old flame in the form of a Country Week rivalry between Shepparton and Bendigo, hoping to get one over the former foes come Sunday.
“I think who can get through this one is probably a favourite for a finals spot, so we’re keen to knock that one over and get it done,” he said.
“Also, it brings up the lovely Bendigo v Shepparton rivalry which we had for Country Week for many a year.”
Earlier in the day, Hurley’s Hotel Hounds take on Jarvis Delahey Crushers with the opening round’s losing outfits vying for the first win of the campaign.
Crushers owner Nathan Delahey reflected on the four-wicket loss to the Mud Dogs, saying his side needs to lift its bowling effort against a top-heavy Hounds.
“Our bowling early on was what really killed us, but our batting was okay,” he said.
“I thought we batted pretty well; we probably thought we were about 20 runs short at the time, but in saying that we didn’t bowl very well in the first six to eight overs.
“(Reinhardt Engler and Quinton Venter) had a magnificent partnership there in the middle order, that was what really helped us tremendously.”
Redemption time: Ethan Brookes will look to remedy a misfiring first outing for the Crushers.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
Delahey was coy when referencing any changes, but confirmed statement signings Cameron Hemp and Ethan Brookes would return for game two.
In saying that, the Hounds have a few big names of their own slated to return.
Last season’s premiership stars Kyle Mueller and Jedd Wright are rumoured to be back in blue this weekend, while perennial run-machine Paul Newman has caught the attention of Delahey ahead of what’s sure to be a no-holds-barred slog-fest.
“I hope Newmo and them aren’t going so well ― that’d be great ― but in saying that, I think he got 200 the other week,” Delahey said.
“I’d like to think we’d put on a good game and, obviously, one of us has to actually win to keep things alive.
“I hope we do win, but it will certainly be an interesting game.”
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