BDCA 2023: Unbeaten Green Caps eye follow-up against Hay Park on Saturday at home

While pushed at times during Saturday’s emotional Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association opener against Eaton, Leschenault remained cool in the face of adversity.

With overseas duo Daniel Brabham and Rob Turner both superbly playing their respective roles, the Green Caps secured their two-wicket win with four balls to spare.

Although they went through last season’s home-and-away campaign undefeated, Leschenault was bundled out of the finals in straight sets, following consecutive defeats against Colts and Marist.

Keen to atone for this, the Green Caps will be out to extend their recent dominance against Hay Park on Saturday afternoon at Leschenault Recreation Park.

It was a brutal opening to the 2023-24 campaign for the Redbacks, who were rolled for 82 at home in pursuit of Collie’s 127, and can ill-afford another batting collapse so early in the season.

At Forrest Park, Marist entertain Collie, although the Blues will be likely to make a few changes from Saturday’s final-ball heartbreaker against Colts.

During his playing stint with Vernon Carus Cricket Club in the UK during our winter, Blues all-rounder Brayden Clarke made several new friendships and teammates.

Two of those Vernon Carus teammates, Scott Fisher and Hasan Zaman, have elected to head Down Under and play for the Blues this season — and could be in the mix to play their first games on Saturday.

Despite the Colts loss, the Blues once again showcased the diverse nature of their quality bowling attack, with both seamers and spinners getting reward for effort.

Clarke in particular, displayed quality resolve. After going for 26 runs in his first four overs, he claimed two wickets in four balls during his fifth, which gave Colts some food for thought late in the game.

In the remaining game of the round, Dalyellup host Colts at Dalyellup College.

Josh Topliss’ men go into the game as warm favourites, with competition for spots in the first XI once again likely to be intense, given the level of depth at the club.