UNITED captain Ricky Campbell predicts the winner of his side’s opening round Mid North Coast cricket T20 clash against Wingham tomorrow will progress to the final on Australia Day.
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The nine premier league teams have been split into two pools for preliminary matches in the T20, Leading sides from the northern and southern pools will meet in the final.
United, Wingham, Taree West and Wauchope will play in the southern pool.
Campbell said United and Wingham will have the edge over Taree West and is convinced the winning team in tomorrow’s clash at Chatham Park from 12.30 will be finals bound. United plays Taree West in the second match at Johnny Martin Oval, starting at 4pm.
Not a lot of T20 cricket is played here and Campbell admits there’ll be a bit of trial and error tomorrow.
“I’m not sure how many of our players have even been in a T20 game,’’ he said.
“But I think a score of around 130 will go close to winning a game around here.’’
He is confident United’s batting depth will come to the fore.
“But if we lose against Wingham we’ll probably change things around for the next games,’’ he said.
“It should be a bit of fun – we can enjoy ourselves before the competition-proper starts next month.’’
United will be without the suspended Jaxon Witts tomorrow. Campbell said Wingham’s Michael Rees will be the dangerman.
“He got Wingahm off to a flyer the last time we played then, scoring 60 in about nine overs,’’ Campbell pointed out.
“So if we can restrict him to less than 30 is will be a positive for us.’’
Meldrum in doubt
A NIGGLING foot injury may rule captain Josh Meldrum out of a depleted Taree West side for the opening two fixtures of the Mid North Coast cricket T20 competition tomorrow.
The West will meet Wauchope RSL and United at Johnny Martin Oval.
Paul Cox, Nathan Johnson and Blake Polson will all be absent, leaving a big hole in an already fragile battling lineup.
Meldrums been battling the foot injury and said while he wants to play, he won’t risk further damage, mindful that the premier league-proper resumes next month.
He said finding 11 players for this weekend will be a battle but assured Taree West will meet commitments.
“We’ll be taking this seriously but if we’re beaten it’s not the end of the world,’’ he said.
“It’ll be good to get the bat and ball in the hand again before the comp starts again next month, we’ll have a bit of fun.’’
Taree West sits in seventh place on the premier league ladder.
“We’ll have to be flawless when it starts again if we’re going to make the semis,’’ Meldrum conceded.