SEMI-FINALS in the Bendigo District Cricket Association’s first XI will be played this Saturday and Sunday from noon.<\/p>\n
Last season’s grand finalists, Strathdale-Maristians and Kangaroo Flat have home-ground advantage for showdowns with Bendigo United and Sandhurst respectively.<\/p>\n
A 9-2 record meant Strathdale-Maristians finished the home-and-away series on top of the ladder.<\/p>\n
The Suns will start favourite against Bendigo United, 7-5, at All Seasons Oval at Strathdale’s Bell Oval.<\/p>\n
The Cameron Taylor-led Suns have a powerful batting line-up led by James Barri, Daniel Clohesy and Grant Waldron.<\/p>\n
Ben DeAraugo has an incredible record against BUCCs, especially in grand finals.<\/p>\n
The Suns attack is led by Cameron Taylor, 34 wickets; Sam Johnston, 29; and includes talented youngsters Jack Pysing and Thomas Purcell.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sam Langley and Marcus Mangiameli are likely to bowl many overs.<\/p>\n
Chasing back-to-back premierships, Kangaroo Flat is home at The Dispensary Oval in Dower Park to take on the Dragons.<\/p>\n
The Roos have a 9-2 record and the Dragons were 8-4 in the run to the finals.<\/p>\n
In round five, the Roos were dismissed for 88 chasing 121 at Dower Park.<\/p>\n
Key players for Flat include all-rounder Adam Burns, Jake and Dylan Klemm, Chris and Daniel Barber, and Brent Hamblin.<\/p>\n
Sandhurst has the batting power of Ash Gray, Thomas Starr, captain Dylan Gibson, and bowling skill of Taylor Beard and Liam Bowe.<\/p>\n
White Hills faces Golden Square in the second XI grand final on March 16 and 17 at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Barnard Street.<\/p>\n
Play starts at 12.30pm both days.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n