GVBBL | No Pattinson, no worries as Bush Bash prepares for round two

While the early word was former Australian Test cricketer James Pattinson would run out for Hurley’s Hotel Hounds, the superstar has been ruled out through injury.

Despite the notable absentee — the show must go on — and with plenty of high quality talent still pencilled in to feature, round two is sure to provide plenty of entertainment.

Headlining the action is a showdown between the competition’s two undefeated sides — Jarvis Delahey Crushers and the Hurley’s Hotel Hounds.

Securing a comfortable 33-run win in round one, the Crushers boast Englishman Ethan Brookes in their line up, with the talent coming off a thrilling 63 off 29 balls in round one.

Strutting their stuff alongside Brookes is a squad that includes the talented Mitch Cleeland, Ramadan Yze and captain Dwain Vidler and the side will be aiming to take a step closer to premiership glory.

Yet despite boasting a quality line-up, the Crushers will face off against what is arguably the competition’s strongest squad, albeit with some major absentees.

Not only do the Hounds have Cam Stevenson and Michael Archer on their books, but the side is set to welcome Joshua Trembearth, Dylan Cuttriss and former Bendigo Cricketer of the Year Jack Neylon into the line-up.

Despite the talent coming in, the absence of Pattinson, Jedd Wright and Tyler Jones is sure to be felt, however Hounds owner Brenton Sheppard was confident the game would be a good contest.

“A decent win probably gets you through to the final, so there’s a bit on the line,” Sheppard said.

“It should be a hot contest, if we can get some early wickets and stem the flow that would be good.”

Initially aiming to be a side that focused on pace with the ball in hand, Sheppard said the team’s focus had now shifted to a “spin to win” game plan.

The Hounds owner said it was disappointing Pattinson could not take to the field.

“He (Pattinson) is not quite right, we’ve still got our fingers crossed for the Kyabram game,” he said.

“When we first spoke to him at the start of the season he was having minor surgery on a wrist and his hamstrings have also not fully recovered from injury.”

The side will be calling on Paul Newman to follow his 90-run spell in round one with another big performance, while Darin Ohlsen will also play a key role.

In the weekend’s other game, Cobram Panel Works Panthers face off against the SRP Mud Dogs.

A home game for the Panthers, the side will welcome local legend Shaun Downie into the squad, with other Cobram talents Adam De Cicco, Tyron Baden and Jack Beasley also ready to stand out at home.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s game against the Mud Dogs, Panthers franchise manager Mark Haberfield said it was set to be an action-packed day.

“First and foremost it’s about entertainment for the people that are going to turn up and enjoy the surroundings at the showgrounds,” Haberfield said.

“Secondly we’d like to knock the Mud Dogs off. They are reigning premiers and if we beat them on Sunday they won’t be able to make finals, it’s our goal to knock them over.”

Suffering defeat in its round one game to the Hounds, the Cobram side is set to come out firing this weekend, however, their opponents are also full of talent.

Aiming for their third premiership in a row, the Mud Dogs have Tyler Larkin, Liam Smith and former Glamorgan cricketer Joe Cooke on their list and are sure to be hard to beat.

With a smaller boundary at the showgrounds it is almost guaranteed there will be plenty of hits over the rope and with the Catch for Cash promotion returning, attendees will need to be on the lookout.

“Anybody that has purchased Panthers merchandise in previous years or on the day, a hat, singlet or T-shirt, will have a chance to catch a potential six while the Panthers are batting and win,” Haberfield said.

“We’ll be looking for Damian Cupido, Tyron Baden and probably Ben Fulford to give the crowd some catching practice and we’ve got two $500 catches that can be taken, so the first two catches successfully caught in the crowd while wearing Panthers merchandise will get $500 cold, hard cash.”

With the ground in good condition and a high calibre of players set to battle it out, there’s no better place to be than the GVBBL on Sunday.