Cricket mid-season review

The fight for finals in Division 2 of the GCA is incredibly close with just six points between fourth-placed Modewarre and seventh-placed Torquay.

The two sides were equal on points heading into the final game of 2019 when they met at Spring Creek Reserve, with Modewarre eventually winning a closely fought match.

Modewarre are performing extraordinarily well in their first season in Division 2 after being promoted from Division 3 last year.

Club president Rob Cameron said the club had been striving to improve but had exceeded their own expectations.

“We’re currently fourth position at the Christmas break, and that would have exceeded our pre-season expectations which were to make sure we were competitive.”

Cameron said that now the club had proved to itself how competitive it can be, the team was looking to raise their ambitions.

“Starting the second half of the season in fourth position, it’s now a position we want to protect.

“Our cricket tends to suit the two-day game, I think, and it’s all two-day games from now on.”

In Division 1, Leopold have struggled since their win on the opening day of the season. But with Division 1 also very closely contested, a good start to 2020 could see them in contention for a spot in the finals.

The BPCA mid-table is similarly volatile, yet at the top Anglesea have been imperious.

They are undefeated on 49 points, 16 ahead of second-placed Ocean Grove. Dale Kerr has been particularly dominant for them, having taken 33 wickets at an average of just 6.12.

Last year’s premiers Ocean Grove are just six points clear of Barwon Heads and Barrabool, both of who hold a slightly better percentage.

Barrabool will have a chance to go second when cricket returns on January 11, as they host Ocean Grove at Ceres Recreation Reserve.

In a similar vein to Kerr’s dominance with the ball, Barrabool’s Kane Pickering has comfortably been the best in the league with the bat.

He has scored 568 at an average of 94.67, putting him more than 200 runs ahead of the next best in the league.

If his form continues, Barrabool have a good chance of playing finals for the first time since 2014.