Wanderers first on the Magpies’ to-beat list

FINALS cricket is here. The WDCA A grade competition moves into its postseason phase, with the top four teams fighting it out for the premiership over the next two weekends. After finishing second overall, the Wangaratta Magpies won the right to host their semi-final at the Showgrounds, welcoming a strong Beechworth Wanderers outfit to play across the weekend. Unlike during the regular season, A grade finals are contested on the Saturday and Sunday, allowing the season to be wrapped up in a fortnight as opposed to a month. The Magpies have the wood over Beechworth, having defeated them in both the one day and two day formats during the regular season. Magpies skipper Cooper Matheson said his charges were ready to go all the way to the top. “Everyone’s pretty pumped and up and about for it,” he said. “We’ve got to get one back after losing the one day grand final, so everyone’s locked in and keen to have a big push for next weekend as well. “I think it’s good for finals, the ground condition can’t really change too much - in the normal season you play over two weeks, but if you play Saturday and Sunday, it evens it out more. “We’re both pretty familiar with each other now, they’re very, very good with the bat so early wickets are key, and bowling and fielding well.” Matheson anticipates a road of a pitch at the Wangaratta Showgrounds, but an incredibly slow outfield, making any and all runs incredibly treasured. “Fielding will win you a majority of your games, so we need to field out of our skin to keep them close,” he said. “You’ve got to try and save as many runs as you can, and the Showies aren’t going to be that quick, so any run is very valuable out there. “If we can keep them to not much in the field, it’s a win for us. “It’ll be slow, they’ve been pumping water into it every day this week, and we’re about to get loads of rain as well.” Beechworth captain Brenton Surrey said the top four was extremely close this season. “You want to be playing your best cricket at the end of the year, I think any of the four sides in it can win it,” he said. “You’ve got to play well to be in the game and hopefully a bit of luck goes your way. “Wang’s all-round game was a bit better than us last time, I don’t think there will be a lot in this one and I don’t think there’ll be a lot in the other game. “You’re going to have to play well for 150 overs to be in the game right at the end.” Wangaratta hosts Beechworth Wanderers at the Showgrounds in their A grade semi-final on Saturday, 22 March and Sunday, 23 March – play commences at 1pm each day.

Wanderers first on the Magpies’ to-beat list

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