BDCL PREVIEW
By Behind the Pickets
A Grade
Six games left and it’s a wide-open race for minor premiership. North lead the pack with five wins, West have four and Central three. South have struggled for consistency but a win isn’t far away if they can string some good performances from key players Tristen Smith and Binu Sebastian. Ben Jurd from North has again starred for the Blue and White with 272 runs and 11 wickets. He looks to be the key to North going back-to-back this year. West, with even contributions from all players, must be a dangerous prospect when opposing teams are scouted them. Peter Christos with 171 runs and Laurence Hebbard with 11 wickets are the statistical leaders for the Robins. Central will be hoping to have their top side on the field each week to get some form into their top players. Zac Robards has been the recruit of the year so far with 180 runs and 11 wickets.
B Grade
The Warriors are sitting atop of the table in front of West with these two teams the standouts of anyone’s pick as to who will finish minor premiership. The two contests between them have seem each team win one game each. Both teams will have an eye on February 8 when they go head-to-head in what some are calling a Grand Final preview. North, South and Central are fighting out for the last spot in the finals. Central will need to just about win every game for the rest of the season to get there, but funnier things have happened in cricket. Matt Gray from South could be the reason South leap frog North. He has had double figures in every game this season including a 97 against West back in Round 5. Dylan Millsteed from North has taken 10 wickets and led the North attack with his swing bowling.
Women
North secured the minor premiership in the last round before Christmas, and they look to be the team to beat again. Steph Balman looks a class above with 232 runs to go with seven wickets. She is in prime contention of another MVP season. West look a lot stronger when Paige Cuy is playing, two 50s already this season has her second in the runs. South will miss Lily McCure in the second half of the season but this could allow someone else to step up and fill the void. Players like Abby Johns and Lakisha Sloane will have a big say come finals. While Central haven’t had the results on the field they make up for it with their fun brand of cricket and good vibes. Being such a fun club could lead to more recruits choosing Central in the future.
