FINALS PREVIEW:
Just in time for Geelong to begin their Premiership defence, the Students embark on Finals, with 3 Men;s teams and the Women’s XI all set to play tomorrow, with hopes to progress deeper into March.
SECOND XI V Richmond at Central Reserve
Heck of a side, it has been something of an up and down year for the Second XI. That said, the slate is wiped clean as they prepare to tame the Tigers in a 1st V 8th clash. Needless to say they will be inspired by the Bett family, whose recent addition of Charlie will provide a real lift to the side. (As an aside, few things would give MUCCers a greater lift than seeing James with a pram, a child and a Veeber in hand cutting hot laps of Premier cricket grounds.)
Singh and Young return to the XI, which means the Tigers can expect to face a great deal of Yuvraj’s crafty tweakers. Combine that with Rissole and HT and the plethora of spinners might even get the boys ahead of the over rate.
With bat in hand, Ali Khan and Harrison Barnes loom large, and should the wheels of commerce stop turning, Harrison Emms could be in for a bumper weekend.
PLAYER TO WATCH: James Horn
Yes, it’s the skipper. With a renewed sense of freedom after jumping off the Blue Rock, Horn will be keen to lead the side to Premiership glory. His work with gloves without parallel, look for Horn – complete with brand spanker and belter of a bat – to contribute handsomely in the middle order.
THIRD XI V Frankston at Heat Pit.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Sam Skinner and the Third XI are willing to play their home final at the home of the opposition. After a dominant season, the Third XI welcome Lucien Bienvenu and Khush Talati for a Finals campaign.
Equally exciting, Nick Ritchie recovered from a dodgy steak sandwich; an intimidating prospect at half fitness, the Heat had best watch themselves with Ricko at full tilt tomorrow. That said, he has performed well at something less than 100% at Frankston before – but this is no place for gutter journalism…
After a strong showing in Scholar’s Cross, Toby Rawlins will be looking to sweep, paddle and scoop his way to a good score – and all before he goes to the pit lane with McLaren (or Maclaren?) come Grand Prix weekend.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Hayden Lim
What a season this man has had. One of the hardest workers at the club, Limmy deserves all the good that comes his way and it has been a pleasure to watch him flourish throughout 22/23. Expect him to go to another level in the Finals series, his work in the middle order invaluable for the Third XI.
FOURTH XI V Ringwood @PP3
If it aint broke, don’t fix it. The Fourth XI have been utterly dominant all year in season 22/23, under the leadership of Shenan Dias, conquering all before them.
Inspired by runners past, present and yet to come around the perimeter of PP3, they will strive for their first Finals win there tomorrow, welcoming back Yo-Yo master Henri Du Toit for the big game.
Harrison (Price is right) Preiss was a solid performer at Scholar’s Cross last week, and his absence made the heart grow ever fonder, so there’s a few keeping a keen eye on him tomorrow to perform. Equally, whatever the wicket offers tomorrow, Om Patel will have a solution; willing to stand the seam upright, or tweak across it – a decorated all-rounder whose skill on the cricket field is only usurped by his work on the stock market.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Trent McManus
Blue gloves and the game to match, Trennnnna was quick to question the skipper when he missed a high-five during the week. His attitude equally dismissive of opposition bowlers, expect Trent to pile on the pain for the Rams this weekend.
WOMEN’S XI
It is semi-final day for the Women’s XI on Sunday, as they look to progress to a Grand Final of the One Day competition. The Bombers won’t know what hit them when they arrive at the Main on the weekend, set to face a dominant MUCC XI who have proved too strong at every interval thus far in 22/23.
Hard to split the batting and the bowling, both have been equally impressive; the Students with an answer in both the T20 and One-Day fromats.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Odette Lopez
It’s hard to go past Odette in the Semi-Final. With just shy of 500 runs to her name over the course of the season, she has been a constant force at the top of the order. More than handy with the ball too, she has claimed 11 wickets and looms as an all round threat at the pointy end of the season.
MUCC INTERVARSITY:
Yes, it is back. This coming Monday (yes, a Public Holiday), the Student will play Monash at the Main. The making of the likes of; McKenna, Emms, Yaksender and Domann, it is a bumper fixture, and gives the club the chance to play in front of a big crowd, with a DJ and a BBQ.
Be sure to get along if you’re free, support the boys and enjoy an afternoon at the Uni Main!
4pm – 7:30pm
