Huge weekend of cricket action

SEMI-FINALS in the Bendigo District Cricket Association’s first XI will be played this Saturday and Sunday from noon.

Last season’s grand finalists, Strathdale-Maristians and Kangaroo Flat have home-ground advantage for showdowns with Bendigo United and Sandhurst respectively.

A 9-2 record meant Strathdale-Maristians finished the home-and-away series on top of the ladder.

The Suns will start favourite against Bendigo United, 7-5, at All Seasons Oval at Strathdale’s Bell Oval.

The Cameron Taylor-led Suns have a powerful batting line-up led by James Barri, Daniel Clohesy and Grant Waldron.

Ben DeAraugo has an incredible record against BUCCs, especially in grand finals.

The Suns attack is led by Cameron Taylor, 34 wickets; Sam Johnston, 29; and includes talented youngsters Jack Pysing and Thomas Purcell.

Bendigo United will rely on big games from captain Clayton Holmes, top-order batsman Riley Treloar, opening bowler Miggy Podosky and the experienced Harry Donegan.

Sam Langley and Marcus Mangiameli are likely to bowl many overs.

Chasing back-to-back premierships, Kangaroo Flat is home at The Dispensary Oval in Dower Park to take on the Dragons.

The Roos have a 9-2 record and the Dragons were 8-4 in the run to the finals.

In round five, the Roos were dismissed for 88 chasing 121 at Dower Park.

Key players for Flat include all-rounder Adam Burns, Jake and Dylan Klemm, Chris and Daniel Barber, and Brent Hamblin.

Sandhurst has the batting power of Ash Gray, Thomas Starr, captain Dylan Gibson, and bowling skill of Taylor Beard and Liam Bowe.

White Hills faces Golden Square in the second XI grand final on March 16 and 17 at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Barnard Street.

Play starts at 12.30pm both days.

In the third XI grand final on Saturday and Sunday it’s Bendigo United against Eaglehawk at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington from 10am both days.