Hay Park looks to find top form

The winless Hay Park will be looking to bring themselves off the bottom of the ladder and grab their first one-day victory when they face Leschenault at Hay Park on Saturday.

The Redbacks have been one of the top teams of the past three years, winning two championships and not missing finals in that time.

But losses to Eaton and Marist as well as an untimely draw against Dalyellup Beach, due to pitch conditions, have them sitting in seventh place.

The Redbacks’ batting has been their biggest let down so far this season, with Jono Miller leading the first grade side with 43 runs, followed by Marty Foster (24) and Jono Whitney (23).

Things will not get any easier on Saturday when they come up against the in-form James Letchford, who has taken eight wickets at an average of six runs from three games this season.

Redbacks captain Whitney said Hay Park had not achieved the results they would have liked. “We need to put some runs on the board so we have something to bowl at,” he said.

Whitney said coach and former first grade all-rounder Chris Waddingham would come under consideration after scoring 137 runs in the past two second grade games.

“Waddo went to second grade and hit back-to-back half centuries, so he will definitely come under consideration” he said.

“We are always looking to bring guys up (from second grade).”

Whitney acknowledged that Leschenault skipper Tom Buchanan was in good form and was the key wicket come Saturday.

The opening batsman has scored 91 runs in two innings for the Green Caps, including 63 in the loss to Marist.

“You have to get him (Buchanan) early, because once he is in, he cashes in,” Whitney said.

“After that it is a consolidation thing. You need to keep him off strike.”

Whitney said he was pleased with the Redbacks’ bowling line-up, especially opening bowlers Jack Charters and Reon Tither.

“They have bowled some good spells especially with the new ball,” he said.

“If we get close to 200 then teams will find it hard to beat us.”

In the other round five games, Eaton and Marist will battle it out at the Eaton Sports Ground, while Colts will host Collie at the Bunbury Recreation Ground.

Dalyellup Beach have the bye.