With gun quick Joel Crosswell unavailable for Orange District Cricket Association’s fifth round on Saturday afternoon, perennial title contenders CYMS have received a welcome boost in skipper Hamish Finlayson’s return from a knee injury.
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Finlayson missed CYMS’ victory over Cavaliers but the green and golds’ bye after that, followed by a forced one thanks to the ultimately washed-out Plan B Regional Bash ensured that would be the only game he sat out.
Although the two-time premiership-winning skipper hasn’t scored a run yet – contributing two ducks – and also hasn’t bowled, the experience and level-headed approach he brings into the side is invaluable, and he’s a proven winner as captain.
Finlayson’s side heads into the game looking to build on the one-point buffer it enjoys from Cavaliers and Orange City at the top of the table, all three outfits have two wins but a bonus point kicks CYMS ahead.
The maroons have the bye this weekend too and won’t get any competition points as a result, so if the green and golds can trump the students and Orange City loses to Centrals Finlayson and his troops could find themselves at least seven points clear.
Easier said than done, of course, considering Kinross has been reasonably well-performed in the opening stages of the season, albeit somewhat inconsistent.
The students are just outside the top three, two points behind Cavaliers and Orange City and an upset win over CYMS would ensure they push into it, potentially as high as second.
If Kinross is to do that, the students will have to nullify in-form batsman Mick Hannelly and handle CYMS’ bumper bowling attack.
Chris Novak and Peter Gott have taken eight and seven wickets so far this summer, respectively, and are always dangerous.
Saturday’s clash at Wade Park kicks off at 1pm.