PCDIY Cup Round 1 - NSW City A v NSW Country A (completed)

NSW City A v NSW Country A

Burridge, Kovas, Hayes, Spark, Bochat, Kolar, Wayne, Jacobs, Green, Crowley, Wilkinson

Boland, Ono, Anraad, Gloury, O’Driscoll, Read, Roberts, Rask, Pimpkins, Johns, Bullpitt

The NSW derby is always hotly contested and both teams finished mid table last season meaning they will be hungry to get on a roll early in the season to potentially challenge for higher honours. Morgan Burridge is coming off the back of a Bannerman Shield performance that may be able to win him an extended run in the top grade and should be looking to silence his doubters here with a big score. Looking at the rest of the order there are unsigned veterans who’s motivation must be in question but hope in the form of Pretz Spark and Thad Bochat. Bowling wise Jacobs will carry a heavy load and how Green, Crowley and Wilkinson, all past-it bowlers, will fare is difficult to tell.

Country’s batting is lead by Don Boland who is due for a big score and the CricSim Herald expects him to flourish with a gritty hundred in this match. Going down the order there is potential in Jon Anraad and Adam Gloury who have both been in promising form for the Kings this season. Two keepers round out the batting unit but both Alex O’Driscoll and Jimmy Read have proven to be underperformers so far in their careers. Keith Rask has been the name on everyone’s lips this season as supporters and critics alike speculated over how he would travel in the Bannerman Shield. His performances have been distinctly average thus far but he needs to carry the attack here with a bag of wickets while former great Ted Bullpitt can be expected to chip in.

The CricSim Herald expects a close match and is going to back an upset win for Country with Don Boland and Keith Rask the stars.