Premiers prepare for tough opener

Leschenault can open the 2019-20 Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association season with a bang if they knock off reigning premiers Colts in Saturday morning’s T20 opener at the Bunbury Recreation Ground.

And given the last time both sides met in the shortened form of the game, the visitors will have every right to feel confident.

With diligent bowling, the Green Caps restricted the reigning premiers to 9-103 off 20 overs, with five of their six bowlers all taking wickets.

In reply, a superb innings of 73 from Tom Buchanan propelled Green Caps to a nine-wicket win with two overs to spare.

Ahead of the clash, Leschenault club coach Peter Slater feels the hit out against Colts will provide a quality opportunity for the side.

“We will have a pretty experienced squad,” he said.

“There are always changes from season to season. We have lost a few players, but we will obviously look at Colts and see who they have got.

“They are a very competitive club and are always very difficult to beat.”

With two T20 matches pencilled in on Saturday, the Green Caps have been hard at work on the training track.

“One of the key attributes in T20 is obviously fielding,” Slater said.

“Also with the bowling, just making sure we are delivering it in good areas and trying to bowl a tidy line.”

Skilful Colts bowler Josh Topliss believes the reigning premiers will give a good account of themselves on Saturday.

“We will have a pretty young and different looking side – especially for the first morning game,” he said.

“But we will be strengthened with a few senior players for the afternoon game against Eaton.”

Across town at Forrest Park East, Marist will lock horns with Hay Park, with both sides keen to build some early momentum.

Despite recruiting well, the Blues appear to have a few players under minor fitness clouds heading into the season, including Kyle Davis, Jordan Stynes and Ben Shipley.

However with a positive showing against Busselton outfit St Marys last Saturday, the Blues camp is optimistic.

Later in the day, Colts travel to the Eaton Sports Ground and will face a fired-up Eaton Beavers, while the Green Caps lock horns with Marist.