CRICKET in its most fast and furious form hits the Elders Cup tomorrow with the first round of T20 matches for the 2024-25 season.
Each side has 20 overs to hit as many runs as possible, and what that equates to is lots of big hits, with the batsmen all trying to out-smash each other.
“After T20 was introduced last season, as a committee we wanted to build on that success,” Elders Cup committee member and Tumut Plains CC president Kevin Keogh said.
This season, these games both count as a standalone T20 competition, and points contribute to the ladder for the Elders cup competition.
“This was to try and maintain the importance of these games and value to the competition,” Mr Keogh said
The T20 comp will see all teams play each other once over three rounds (Round 4, Round 8 and the final weekend of the season, Round 15) using double headers. Whoever finishes atop the T20 ladder will be crowned T20 champions, using a first past the post format.
This weekend sees Adelong Donkeys versus Gundagai at Adelong Showground in the standalone game, and there are double headers at the Bull Paddock.
A 12 noon, Coolac take on Tumut Plains and Wyangle face the Murrumbidgee Mankadders.
Later, at 3:30pm, Wyangle play Coolac, and Tumut Plains face the Mankadders.
Keogh said he and his Tumut Plains team mates were looking forward to playing the shortened format.
“Yes, T20 games bring a different style of cricket, and new challenges with how Tumut Plains attack the games,” he said.
“But also, the added excitement of playing again later in the day will make for a full and exciting day of cricket.
“I encourage all lovers of cricket, or those just looking to get out and sit in the sun, to get down to the Bull Paddock as there won’t be a dull moment with both games playing simultaneously. Tumut Plains Cricket Club are also putting on a sausage sizzle for all, so settle in for a great day of cricket.”
As holders of the T20, Tumut Plains are taking retaining the cup very seriously.
“We will have tough start tomorrow, against a good Coolac side we snuck past last weekend,” Mr Keogh said.
“Our captain, Luke Armstrong returns to the field this weekend for the first time this season. Luke has been out after a basketball injury sustained preseason, and it’s been a steady road back to fitness for the 45 year old.
“Steve Gill misses out again, he has a hectic social calendar this time of year.”
Mr Keogh says T20 is about smart cricket.
“We have really developed an ability to bowl a line and length that strangles opponents, led by Myles Henman and Aidan Thomas.
“Our batting line-up has plenty of depth and power hitting. Richie Niellson and Nathan Butt will look to clear the boundary, and I’m sure Luke Armstrong will want to open his season with runs. We will need them to be good once again come Saturday.”
Keogh and his team mates have plenty of respect for tomorrow’s opponents.
“Coolac are led by the imperial Tim Graham, a dangerous cricketer we have managed to keep quiet over recent match ups,” he said.
“He also has plenty of support in the evergreen Duane Shawcross who has carried their batting line on his shoulders so far this season, and the rapid recruit Jack Garner. Also, not forgetting the renowned Adam Graham, deadly in the field, and you don’t run on his arm.
“The Mankadders bring excitement and renewed competition this year, starting the season off with a couple of wins. Bolstered by some new recruits, and some old stalwarts, Miq and the boys from Borambola have let it known in no uncertain terms, they are coming to town Saturday, and intending to return to the other side of the Hume highway with arguably the two biggest scalps in the competition, us the reigning champions, and last year’s grand final runners up, Wyangle.
Mankadders captain Michael Hargreaves said his team were seeing tomorrow as a great chance to measure themselves up against two great teams.
“It’s hard to predict how we will go Nelson Foley and Alex Phillips are out this week and I was excited to see them blast a few in the shorter format,” he said.
“The boys are excited, as we have to change the order up. I’ve hit like 30 off 100 balls opening the batting so I’ll slide down to six or seven and the likes of Scotty and Largey will get a crack they haven’t had yet.
“This season is night and day from last year. We still need more commitment and we need all eleven to play their best to beat Wyangle and Plains.”
Gundagai captain Caleb Lindley-Kell and his team mates are also looking forward to tomorrow.
“A lot of players love the T20 format. It is a bit more of a relaxing form of the game,” he said.
“We should have a full team and we’re doing things right. Just getting that first win on the board is the key.”
