In a first for the competition, there are now One Day semi finals and falls in line with most Premier Competitions however not in the completely split ladder, and eligibility for major rounds. Nightcliff Cricket Club, Waratah Warriors Cricket Club and Palmerston Cricket Club all have A & B in while Southern Districts Cricket Club and The Darwin Cricket Club round it out. As previously stated, virtually all clubs from what we are aware asked for dispensation for either players to go down a grade or to be allowed to play due to not meeting the minimum requirements. None were approved from what we know and there has been no leverage for local players young and old by the Darwin and District Cricket Competition.
Nightcliff v Southern Districts at Nightcliff Oval
The Tigers will continue to push for back to back One Day Premierships and cement themselves as the best club white ball specialists in the Territory in the last three years. With an undefeated record in 2024, they come up against a serious challenger in Southern Districts, who like in 2022 and 2023, didn’t really start to get going until this time of year.
The Tigers big advantage is their top order, they’re unlikely to have one bloke not go on with it, with Carroll and Hoogenboezem calling the shots early. Districts haven’t been as lucky, relying on Isakka and Garner to post totals and very few fire works early to put any pressure on the bowling side. Both sides have strong spin components and are fairly equal in the pace department as well, Nightcliff well ahead in the fielding wise. Missing a genuine quick like Maladay is the only significant issue facing their disciplined attack.
Going into the fixture no Broes for the Crocs with Gawthrope returning, the Tigers lost Honeybrook who has headed home for personal reasons which sees Varatharajan in and there is a rumoured injury cloud over Michael Kudra with Jacques-Ball taking the gloves if confirmed. As a result the Crocs really need Bangs to fire, as Isakka and Garner can chase a steady total but anything around that 270 mark will be too much. Really need some local top order guys to pick up the runs column as well, Fry and Mullen have to get some run a ball 30s or 40s. McEvoy and Bangs have a huge job with the ball in the pace department, if they can dry it up, it will give their spin plenty of pressure building options
Key players
Crocs – Bangs, Garner, McEvoy, Hammond & Isakka
Tigers – Hoogenboezem, Singh, Smith, Carroll, Kudra & Doherty
Prediction – Tigers too good.
Waratah v Palmerston at Gardens Oval
Waratah have continued to excel with their batting group built around Kodura and Lokesh will be a big issue for Palmerston. Both sides however are looking the real deal for September action, let alone going into this one day semi that will be tightly contested. Each team list is reasonably settled, the only change Ethan Anderson out for Jake Baker.
As we have seen with both teams, their bowlers do have the ability to bring the game back if things get away from them, Sandaradura has made some early impact but its been Weerasinghe brothers and McCormick in the spin department making extra impact. Martin and Bleakley the two most experienced Palmerston players that will definitely be a presence.
In terms of the run of the game, Waratah like to accumulate early and will go big late in the piece whereas Firman and Montague have been setting a similar tone to the Tigers duo of Carroll & DJ, and their batting in general being impressive with 3 out of the four wins chasing, two of which were 250+ totals. The way they went about their business last round is ominous and Tahs know that if they bat first, they must get a genuine total on the board if they’re a chance of winning.
Key players
Tahs – Conway, Koduru, Lokesh & Weerasinghes
Palmo – Firman, Martin, Bleakley, Montague & Thakkar
Prediction – Palmerston in a tight one