Premier Cricket Round 13 Preview

Round 13 of Premier Cricket is a two day fixture to be played over the next two Saturdays (28 January & 4 February). For what it’s worth here’s my preview.

 

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Carlton (1st) 51pts v Melbourne (4th) 37pts @ Princes Park #1 Carlton

2011/12CarltonWWWWWWDDWWLW MCC LLWWWWDWWLWL

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @ Albert Ground Melbourne

Carlton6/172 (T McCormick 85 no, J Coleman 2/51) defMelbourne9/171 cc (Kent 61,E Gulbis4/14)

The Blues got back on the winners list last week crushing Fitzroy-Donny. The Demons became the latest victim of the surging Cats, their second loss in a row at home. Both sides have three batsmen with more than 350 runs for the season – Hancock, Pilon & Keen (Carlton), Kent, Cooper & Dart (MCC).Carlton’s attack may be a little stronger Austin, Smyth, Millard & Salm have taken more than 15 wickets. Nick Quinn & Steve Gilmour have been terrific forMelbourne. A loss could see theDeesdrop as low as sixth, they’ll be desperate and it might get them over the line in a close one. TIP:Melbourne

 

Footscray Edgewater (10th) 25pts v Prahran (2nd) 44pts @ M G Hughes Oval Footscray

2011/12 F’scray Edge WLLDWWDLDWLW P’ran TWWWWLDWDWWW

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @ToorakPark

Prahran 192 (Seymour 105 B Robertson 2/31) def F’scray Edge 178 (Russ 57, Sealey 3/24)

Season 2011/12 has been a successful one for Prahran. So far the men fromToorakParkhave won the mid week T20 title and have qualified for the one day final. They moved into second spot on the table following last weeks outright victory over Melb Uni. The Two Blues will be strengthened by the return of Daniel Salpietro for the clash with Footscray. Robertson, McCammond and Wright bowled magnificently for the Dogs last weekend, they face a tougher ask over the next two Saturdays. TIP: Prahran

 

Melbourne University (18th) 6pts v Frankston Peninsula (3rd) 41pts @ Melb University Oval#1

2011/12 Melb Uni LLLWLLDLLLLL Frank Pen WWLWLWDWDLWW

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @ AHButlerOval Frankston

Frankston 6/254 cc (Walker112 no, Kennedy 2/58) def Melb Uni 163 (Wright 35, Chasemore 3/26)

Is there a team in PC with an attack as good as Frankston’s -Groves, Miller, Holland & Boland? Probably not.  Chasemore, Jewell, Clements & Walker form a handy batting line up. Tough month for MUCC, crushed by Prahran last round, next up Frankston. Somebody up there doesn’t like them. TIP:FrankstonPeninsula

 

North Melbourne (15th) 11pts v Northcote (16th) 10pts @ Junction Oval, St Kilda

2011/12 NM LLLDWLDLDLLW N’cote LLLLWWDLDLLL

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @ Bill Lawry Oval Northcote

Northcote 2/141 (Doropoulos 86 no) def N Melb 140 (McNamara 44, O’Shea 5/42)

Maiden tons to Sandri & McNamara headlined North’s strong win at Windy Hill last week. Matt Stevenson’s “five for” was just as important. The Dragons were smashed by Frankston last time out and haven’t won since early November. I can’t see them ending the drought against the Roos. TIP:  North Melbourne

 

Fitzroy Doncaster (11th) 23pts v Camberwell Magpies (9th) 26pts @ Schramms Reserve Doncaster

2011/12 C’well LWWDLWDWLWLL F Don WWWWLLDWDLLL

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @ Camberwell Sports Ground

Fitz Don 194 (Mash 44, McNamara 4/37) def Camberwell 9/207 (Parker 61, Nannes 2/23)

This match up reminds me of the old “loser leaves town” bouts from Jack Little’s World Championship Wrestling. Whoever goes down in this battle will face a difficult task qualifying for the finals. The Lions need Lloyd Mash to make runs every time he comes to the wicket. He scored 61 last week and FD still copped a severe beating. Despite dropping both games in 2012 I’ll take the Maggies. TIP: Camberwell

 

Essendon (13th) 17pts v Ringwood (14th) 16pts @ Windy Hill Essendon

2011/12 Ess’don WLWWWLDLLLLL R’wood WLLLLWDLLLWL

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @ Russell Lucas Oval Ringwood

Ringwood 142 (Holland31, Cameron 3/29) def Essendon 112 (MacRae26, Gilmour 4/27)

Essendon won four of their first five in 2011/12. Reality delivered a nasty smack in the mouth and they haven’t saluted since. The Rams weren’t disgraced against Casey. They should win this one. TIP: Ringwood 

 

Geelong (5th) 37pts v Hawthorn Monash University (17th) 6pts @ Geelong Cricket Ground

2011/12 G’long WWLLLDDWWWWW HMU LLLLLLDLDTWD

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @MonashUniversity#1

Geelong4/141 (Dean 53, Christie 2/44) def HMU 139 (Brown 48, Carson 3/17)

After five wins on the trot the Cats are in great shape (anyone pick up on the 80’s NBL link?), knocking over the strong MCC batting line up for 240 on the Albert is no mean feat. The Hawks had the Tigers in a spot of bother when the match was abandoned last week, their unbeaten streak stretches back to the first weekend in December. The run ends this round. TIP:Geelong

 

Richmond (7th) 30pts v St Kilda (12th) 21 pts @ Central Reserve Waverley

2011/12 R’mond LWWLWWDWDWLD StK LWLLLWDLDWWL

Last time they met: Round 1 2010/11 Sat October 9 2010 – 50 overs @ Junction Oval St Kilda

St Kilda 7/227 cc (Rowan 82, Yeo 2/35) defRichmond193 (Sheedy 85, Cleary 5/45)

Richmond have been ordinary since returning from the festive break, whacked by the MCC then escaping with a draw at Monash last round. The Tigers wouldn’t want to drop this one, considering that the run home includes a trip to Prahran and a visit from Frankston. The Saints effort with the bat last Saturday was insipid, the once mighty StKCC is in decay. Stick a fork in ‘em, they’re done. TIP:Richmond

 

Casey South Melbourne (8th) 27pts v Dandenong (6th) 33pts @ Casey Fields #4

2011/12 CSM TLWLLLDDWWWW D’nong WWWLWLDWDLWW

Last time they met: Quarter Final 2010/11 Sat 12 & Sun 13 March 2011 @ Casey Field #4

Dandenong 208 (Sweeney 51, Perrin 3/40) def CSM 123 (Trego 24, Butterfield 5/29)

These two sides are in splendid form and desperate to consolidate positions in the top eight. Good to see Darren Pattinson back on the field, he’ll be very handy in March. Casey’s previous two wins have been achieved with little input from Clive Rose. He’s due for a big one, but I’ll stick with the Panthers. TIP: Dandenong

 

 

Comments

  1. John Butler says

    Mic, given Tom Donnell’s recent run burst, do you reckon there’s a chance he’d be joining Handscomb on the Victorian selectors radar?

  2. Hello John

    Donnell’s 2011/12 record 645 @ 58.6 (2 centuries) stands up well against Handscombs 403 @ 67.17 (2 centuries). Would he be on the state selectors radar ? You’d hope so, but being selected to play for Victoria hasn’t always been decided by wieght of runs at District level – Andrew Kent (present) & Mick O’Keefe (recent past) are two examples of players who should’ve been given a chance at Shield level.

    I hope Donnells opening partner, Brett Forsyth hasn’t been forgotten by the state selectors – 578 @ 57.8 (3 centuries).

    MCR

  3. John Butler says

    Who will make way for them?

    There lies the question.

  4. John – Victorian travels to Adelaide for a Shield match next week (2nd to 5th of February). Your question may be answered as early as this weekend.

    BTW – Premier Cricket’s Pennant Committee met Wednesday evening and awarded 6 points to Richmond following the abandonment of last weekends match between the Tigers and Hawthorn Monash Uni at Monash.

    The committee ruled that the home team (HMU) hadn’t met it’s obligations under Rule 3.7 “Failure to meet engagement or to have ground fit (for play)”. HMU were fined $250.

    The decision moves Richmond to 6th on the ladder with 36 pts.

    MCR

  5. John Butler says

    Reminds me of quarrelling in the suburban leagues back in the day.

    It was always a risk to be batting 2nd at some clubs’ home grounds, if you know what I mean. :)

  6. John – Wasn’t just suburban leagues that suffered from “local showers” on a Friday night.

    Month long heatwaves never robbed the Western Oval pitch of its lovely green tinge.

    Iceblocks at Princes Park.

    MCR

Leave a Comment

*