THE BIG ONE: Mitch Harvey will be a crucial wicket for Centrals today. Photo: JUDE KEOGH
IT’S bad, but it ain’t that bad.
Centrals skipper Jarrod Simpson is adamant today’s predicament - the defending champions are 5-33 chasing 160 for victory against Orange City, with a loss all but ending the side’s season - isn’t an unsalvageable mission.
“It’s a tough situation to be in but not as bad as it could be,” Simpson said.
“We’ve got plenty of time. We’ve just got to go out there and bat.”
Centrals need a further 127 runs for victory at Wade Park.
Simpson is the only not out batsman at the crease on 16 while either Mitch Harvey or Nick Dunlop, both unavailable last Saturday, will join their skipper come 1pm today.
After Harvey and Dunlop, Centrals will have Matt Weller, Mark Wiegold and Dan Sandford all padded up.
It’s not out of the realms of possibility that group can get the job done.
But, if 2012-13 is anything to go by, it’ll be tough.
Centrals have struggled with continuity this summer and as a result boast just two wins in seven starts.
Simpson, though, said what better time than now to get a third.
Centrals must win to remain in the hunt for a semi-final berth.
Currently, the 2011-12 champions are 18 points adrift from City and CYMS and a place in the competition’s top three.
A win would narrow that gap to 12 points, however, a loss against Orange City and a CYMS win will extend the margin to 24 points with three rounds remaining, extinguishing Centrals’ bid at three consecutive ODCA crowns.
City will be close to full strength with the ball, with the likes of Dave Bondy (4-5), Jono Warren (0-16) and Andrew Rutledge (1-9) set to continue to shoulder most of the seam bowling workload for the Warriors.
James Conn and Englishman Stu Naden are also handy spin bowling options for Boundy today.
“Jono Warren has been in the wickets this year, he’s bowling well,” he said.
“Boundy is just bowling at the stumps and trying to dry up the runs so we need to bat through that and I actually thought the last time we played them the Pommy spinner bowled really well. He did a good job for them.”
Today’s play begins at 1pm.