Saturday’s loser between lowly ranked sides Legana and Diggers could well mark them for TCL Premier League relegation.
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The Durhams are one-point clear of bottom-placed Diggers leading into their round 17 clash at Legana Oval and just five home and away matches remaining.
“This is almost a regulation game with pressure on both sides to perform and we need to start winning games to avoid dropping back,” Legana captain-coach Aaron Dusautoy said.
“Us not batting our 40 overs is hurting us big time … the guys have come together this week and the situation motivates us to beat this team.”
Diggers got the job done in round 10 by five wickets after bowling Legana, who has not won since mid-November, out for 51.
Diggers captain-coach Andy Bassett said the small ground would suit his big-hitting batsmen and that they are confident of clinching the four points.
CRESSY and ACL will clash with one team looking to consolidate second spot and the other clinging on to its finals hopes at Cressy Oval.
The hosts are three points safe in second, while the Bluebacks are two points outside the top four.
Cressy is in fine form, however, ACL won the corresponding fixture earlier on by 16 runs. Bluebacks captain-coach John Kedey said he would be without wicketkeeper Josh Towie and all-rounder Ash Batty.
“Damian Whybrow, pound for pound, has been the best player in the competition.. and he is a key for them but they have got two or three other match winners at the moment,” he said.
Cressy captain-coach Damian Whybrow said Sam Graham would replace the unavailable Jake Price.
“We’re really only worried about our game and the rest will do what they’ve got to do, but ACL are a good side,” he said.
Fourth-placed HADSPEN is clinging onto a finals position, just two points behind this week’s opponents Beauty Point.
Both sides, who have lost both their games since the Christmas break, will fight it out at Hadspen Oval with a view to get their seasons back on track.
Chieftains skipper Liam Reynolds said coach Scott Driessen would come in for paceman David Smith.
“We must respond and this week is the week we have to show that we are hungry to be there come the pointy end of the year,” he said.
Beauty Point were too good in their only other 40-over match this season.