By Hayley Wildes
WGCA DISTRICT DIVISION
PREVIEW – GRAND FINAL
In what is shaping up as a classic grand final, Cranbourne Meadows will take on Cardinia for the ultimate prize in the District division.
The Rebels finished the season as clear favourites for the premiership and will head into the game as the team to beat. The Bulls, meanwhile, will be looking to back-up their Sub-District premiership from 2018 with a win in the higher division.
Cardinia has premiership winners across board and 2018 premiership hero Dan Salvato – who scored a match-winning 81 runs in last season’s Sub-District decider – will be looking to add another piece of silverware.
The Rebels’ season record of 12-2 highlights their consistency and despite stumbling in rounds 12 and 13, they look to have re-discovered their groove at the right time of the year.
KEY PLAYERS:
Cranbourne Meadows: Kulith Rabel – 445 runs at 44.5, Joraver Sidhu – 22 wickets at 14.6.
Cardinia: Luke Turner – 232 runs at 33.1, Dwayne Doig – 25 wickets at 17.8.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
These two teams met in the first and last rounds of the season and the Rebels came away victorious on both occasions. In their Round 14 clash, Cranbourne Meadows piled on 335 runs in a dominant batting display, while Cardinia could only muster 208 runs in reply.
While the Rebels have had the wood over the Bulls this season, Cardinia will take a lot of confidence out of its win over Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll – a win that required a steely resolve and a fine bowling performance.
THE FINAL WORD:
Cranbourne Meadows’ batting firepower – led by Kulith Rabel, Gurpreet Bharma and Ashish Uppal – is the key to the match.
If Cardinia can dismiss that trio cheaply, the Bulls will most likely be in the box seat, but if one or more of them get off the leash and post a big total, the Rebels will be a tough team to beat.
With the game being played on Cranbourne Meadows’ home deck, the Rebels will feel comfortable at the crease and in the field, but expect a big Cardinia presence at the game to cheer on the Bulls and club legends Turner and Doig.
