Western Suburbs' much vaunted batting line-up looms large over the upcoming Maitland first grade cricket finals, just ask any of the opposing captains.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"They've been the best side all year, no doubt about that, but it is a different game come semi-finals," Kurri Weston skipper Sam Delabozek said this week ahead of his side's semi-final clash with Wests at Lorn Park on Saturday and Sunday.
"You have to get a decent total on the board because their batting line-up is so strong."
Delabozek's assessment has been echoed by every skipper this season, but while there's no doubting Wests batting firepower, the most potent and reliable part of the Plovers unbeaten run in 2021-22 has been their bowling.
In seven of their eight wins they have taken 10 wickets, four times they have kept their opponent below 100 and the biggest total they have conceded is 7/173 by Raymond Terrace in round six.
Harry King has 18 wickets and Luke Kealy 16, spinner Shaun Hill 14, Mitchell Fisher 13 and Mick Rees chimed in with 5-10 in Wests' win over fellow finalist Thornton in round nine.
No Plovers batter has made a century to date and they managed three totals of 230-plus, admittedly their scores were kept down by chasing low totals.
Wests skipper Fisher is hoping for a similar scenario on the weekend as the minor premiers face the Warrirors on one side of the draw and City United play Thornton in the other game at Robins Oval.
"We have some great batters, but our bowling has been our strength this season," Fisher said.
"I definitely believe Harry is the best bowler in the competition. He has taken his game to a new level this season and really loves the big games.
"Luke Kealy has been great for us for a number of years and is continuing that this year as well.
"Shaun Hill our main spinner has picked up wickets when we have bowled him but we probably hasn't got as many overs as he would normally because our pace boys are doing the job so well."
Fisher said his side has the firepower with the bat and ball to beat any of the other three teams in the finals but there only concern at the moment was Kurri Weston.
"They are all dangerous in their own way," he said.
"But given the opportunity to play in even conditions we are confident we can get the job done over the next fortnight and claim the title"
Dalibozek said Kurri Weston simply needed to be at their best and win the crucial moments.
"We've got enough match winners, particularly with the bat in Steve (Abel), Liam Neild, Tucky (Josh Tuckwell). We've got the players in the side to beat Wests it's just a matter of performing on the day," he said.
Wests: Tom Irwin, Zach Gayfer, Michael Rees, Aaron Mahony, Shannon Threlfo, Mitchell Fisher (c), Andrew Trappel, Shaun Hill, Izach Dennis, Luke Kealy and Harry King.
Kurri Weston: Steve Abel, Lachie Vassela, Mick Gibson, Liam Neild, Ben Crebert, Tallon Gear, Josh Tuckwell, Sam Dalibozek (c), Tyler Power, James Dunstan, Nick Neild
In the news
