Saturday’s O’Brien Bartlett First National first grade cricket competition will see two valuable skippers out of action as their sides do battle in round four.
The Woolpack and Oriental Hotel sides will be missing captains Steven Knight and Jared Clulow who will be in Dubbo for the representative Possibles versus Probables games on Saturday and Sunday.
Knight said his back held up well after last weekends games and and said he felt fine but he would still be wearing a back brace for precautionary measures.
The Oriental team might have a totally new look with player availability a concern.
Ori will be missing their top batsman and captain and wicket-keeper Ben Headley, whilst there are other key players who are a 50/50 chance of playing.
Clulow said despite losing some key men for this weekend, the 2007/2008 premiers would still be a competitive side at Victoria Park.
“Steven Croake and Lee Hundy bowled well for us last week and there are plenty of young blokes like them who will take charge and by the end of the season will be leading the side around,” he said.
Despite having to bat second in both of their opening games, Clulow is also confident the side will be able to post a good total should they bat first against Lawson Park on Saturday.
“It does not matter how many runs you get, if you win the toss you should bat first on a Mudgee wicket,” he said.
Oriental’s skipper was also wary of a determined Lawson Park team.
“I have told the guys to be cautious, they [Lawson] are a competitive side and might sneak a win by posting 120 to 150 runs.”
Lawson Park will be looking to focus on posting a good total themselves after some poor batting performances from the middle order in previous weeks.
Captain Rodney Golden said his side will be making one or two changes to the batting order and are keen to score their first win of the season.
“Everybody in the team is confident. We have shown glimpses that we can bat right down the order but it is up to the top batsman to lift,” he said.
In the second game, Paragon and Woolpack Hotel meet once again with the match expected to be another close one much like the opening round performance.
The Woolpack side will remain pretty much the same as last week as Mick Jarvis takes over the captains role.
Woolpack’s all round ability has been a major part of their three successive wins and Knight says one person in particular, Cameron Cox, is doing a fantastic job.
“Whilst Cameron wants the new ball he has got it,” Knight said.
“He is one of the best looking junior prospects Mudgee has seen for some time and he is only 15 years old.”
The Woolpack leader also said his team will have to be weary of Paragon players such as Dylan King, Jeremy Doherty and Andrew Ling.
“They will be better off for last weeks win so we can not take them lightly,” Knight said.
Play gets underway at both ovals from 1pm.
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