CARLTON MID T20 LEAGUE (ROUND 3) PREVIEW
Tracy Village v Palmerston at Gardens Oval (Thursday, 5.45pm)
An important fixture which could shape the make-up of Pool A's current standings, the Power will go in as favourites against the improving Villagers. Both teams sit 0-1; Palmy lost in a tight finish by 13 runs to Southern Districts in the competition's opening salvo a fortnight ago, and an unfortunate Tracy were outclassed by a comprehensive Nightcliff performance last week. It will be curtains for the losing side at Gardens Oval, so the expectation of a hotly-contested and engaging contest would be fairly straightforward for those in attendance tonight. Let's have a look at how this could play out.
TRACY NEED EARLY WICKETS
The new ball under lights has clearly proven the best time to bowl for the quicks in this format thus far. The Villagers are looking around on social media for a quality quick to bolster their inexperienced pace battery. However, that lack of airspeed means they do have some accuracy with their medium pacers, something that could be a point of difference as the tracks get lower and slower. Palmerston will be on high alert early, as they have plenty of top order quality in Caleb Montague, Andrew Somerville and Harsh Bimbral to entrust with a platform. Young Aidan Firman has topped 25 opening in two of his last three innings, and could be provide some fireworks to the short square boundaries early if Village don't keep him quiet.
PALMERSTON EYEING OFF NET RUN RATE BOOST
The Power's close loss to the Crocs in Round 1 mean their net run rate (NRR) is a salvageable -0.65. A big win tonight will put them firmly in the box seat to go through (most likely alongside Nightcliff). The Tigers only need to win one out of their remaining two fixtures to qualify, as their NRR is an astronomical 3.87 after dismantling Tracy convincingly a week ago. If Palmerston do get on top at any stage tonight, skipper Hamish Martin will know that the old cricketing adage of "putting the foot on the throat" must certainly ring true. Every run saved, scored or wicket taken means that critical NRR in such a short competition in terms of pool fixtures becomes even more important. Expect to see the men in maroon be aggressive and put some early pressure on the Villagers with bat or ball.
BEWARE THE SPIN THREAT(S)
Tracy's Geelong import Arjun Sehrawat has recovered from a slow start with his legspinners to contribute heavily in Tracy's shock win over PINT last Sunday. His 3/36 (10) belied growing confidence in these conditions, and his slower pace with short square boundaries at Gardens could yield some explosive results either way. Palmy have loaded up by sticking with young leggie Jayden Chatto, boasting an economy rate of under six in this format, to go alongside Martin and Rommel Shahzad. Tracy will know the impending bombardment of three different tweakers is coming, but the grandstand side of the ground could be in for some peppering if the Power don't get it right. Quick Darshan Thakkar has surprised all in both formats with his skiddy "bail buster" pace, taking all by surprise after starting the season in B Grade.
PREDICTIONS:
Palmerston.