By Jonty Ralphsmith
The ‘Power Four’ of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Premier competition has an opportunity to put distance between themselves and the chasing pack as the two-day component of the season kicks off this weekend.
Even amid a slew of washouts to start the summer, it has taken just three weeks for 2023-24 finalists Kooweerup, Cardinia, Tooradin and Pakenham to all occupy the top four positions on the table.
With that quartet all taking on a bottom-four side, round 4 could finish with 18 points separating fourth from fifth place on the table.
Upper Beaconsfield will be looking to bounce back from a dismal loss against Kooweerup when it takes on Cardinia, and the Marrons are set to regain some troops.
Cardinia showed signs of vulnerability against Merinda Park but are buoyed by knowing they were able to emerge from that challenge with plenty of players getting exposure in the middle and are primed for red ball cricket.
Clyde has struggled to transfer pressure back onto the bowling team when batting, limping to 9/139 in round 1, never threatening Cardinia’s 7/227 in round 2 despite plenty of wickets in the shed and getting bowled out for 77 against Tooradin.
Its match against Pakenham concludes a nightmare four rounds to start the season, with the Cougars shaping as a team that could finish the season well once it builds momentum into its season.
Devon Meadows will take on reigning premier Tooradin, having completed just one game so far in 2024-25, competing solidly against Kooweerup in round 2.
Merinda Park, meanwhile, is still searching for its first points of the campaign, beaten by Tooradin, Upper Beaconsfield and Clyde in the one-day part of the season.
As has been the case repeatedly in recent years, the Cobras have struggled for contributions across the board.
Officer’s match against Lang Lang shapes as the headline match in the District competition.
Both are undefeated and occupy the top two spots on the table three games into the season, with the Bullants coming off a statement win and Lang lang defeating Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll by 28 runs.
Officer’s bowling attack propelled it to victory in each of its two wins, bowling its opposition out for 116 and 104 respectively, while Lang Lang has exceeded 200 in both its matches.
Carlisle Park’s bout with Cranbourne Meadows will also carry plenty of intrigue.
The Vikings will be desperate to bounce back from a poor showing against premiership favourites Officer.
If Cranbourne Meadows bats for the full 80 overs, it will likely win the game, given the Rebels’ naturally swashbuckling style, so taking 10 wickets and compelling the batters to overplay will be a priority for Carlisle Park.
Elsewhere, Emerald hosts Pakenham Upper Toomuc and Melbourne Sixers has the Marygoons.
