Darwin & District Cricket - 2011

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As long as there is no more rain, it looks like we will get away this weekend. The only change might be a ground move from kahlin to Kormilda. Fingers crossed it stays clear!
 
I know Gardens is still getting some work done on it atm. Is Kahlin wicket too wet or is there a problem with the outfield?
 
A bit later than last year with the season preview. A fairly strong competition is going to happen this season, the predictions I've made could fall anywhere as most sides will stack up reasonably even on paper, so the difference between 1st and 7th won't be as far. The key for most sides is winning the early games as happens with the Darwin season and the finer weather during the middle of year, blokes tend to go missing if they're doing no good. With the players to watch, it's obvious that the imports are worth watching, so just including other players that haven't really been mentioned.


Nightcliff
Captain: Sam Gibson Coach: Nigel Couzens (TBC)
Last Year: Premiers in all three competitions.
This Year Prediction: 3rd L.O. Cup, 2nd Overall
Ins: Aaron Ayre (ACT), Daniel Salpietro (VIC), Steve Gilmour (VIC), Brad Rasool (NSW) & Shane Devoy (NSW), Michael Pearson (Overseas)
Outs: Mike Cranmer (SA), Jeremy Kuru (NZ), Marc Calkin (NZ), Doug Bracewell (NZ), Mark Hatton (Retired)


Outstanding season for the Tigers in 2010, will see expectations high again. Recruiting well, along with the two draftees, should see them well placed to put in a defence of their Triple Crown, which has now been reduced to two with the merging of the T20 competition into the main competition. A lot will come down to how Gibson users his players, with the main spin option of Hatton gone, Shane Devoy will have big shoes to fill.


Players to Watch: Pearson & Kyle McKenzie


Darwin
Captain: Jack Flynn Coach: Leigh Rowley (TAS)
Last Year: Runners up Two Day Competition, 4th T20 & OD Comps.
This Year Predictions: 5th L.O. Cup, 4th Overall
Ins: Jake Fawcett (WA), Jake Hannan (QLD), Ash Doolan (TAS), Phil McCormick (NZ), Wil Sheridan (VIC), Ben Reichstein (SA)
Outs: Greg Brautigam (Retired), Rick Burton (TAS), Tom Briggs (UK), Dion Meta (QLD), Tom Brinsley (SA), Josh Dolman (SA)


Punching above their weight in the second half of the year, the Eagles caused the biggest upset of the competition in knocking over premiership favourites Tracy Village in the semi-final. A deeper batting order should see Darwin compete with the big sides and it will be all about winning early games if the Eagles are to see finals action two years in a row.


Players to Watch: Patrick Pisel, Christian Thiel and Troy Ryan.


Tracy Village
Captain: Shane McDermott Coach: Craig Cachopa
Last Year: Club Championship, Minor Premiers, 3rd Two Day, 3rd One Day & 5th T20 Competition.
This Year Predictions: L.O. Cup Premiers & Minor Premiers
Ins: Jeremy Smith (TAS), Sean Solia (NZ),
Outs: Greg Morgan (NZ), Elliot Herd (NZ), Paul Carbone (Palmerston)


The Villagers have a serious amount of angst over last years semi-final loss to Darwin, with one of the best teams the competition has seen failing to take it all the way. With McDermott taking over from Johnstone as captain, the team should just be as competitive as last year. Nothing less than a premiership will satisfy TV and one should expect them to be there come the final game of the season. Matty Day is expected to return half way through the season, while there are reports of an unconfirmed Victorian playing as well.


Players to Watch: Craig Cachopa, Stuart Johnstone, Ben Cooper


PINT
Captain: Nick Berry Coach: Nick Berry
Last Year: 4th Two Day, 2nd T20 & 5th OD Competitions
This Year Predictions: 2nd L.O. Cup & 3rd Two Day Competition
Ins: Cullen Bailey (SA), Phil Adams (WA), Nick Rees (NSW), Daniel Lang (VIC)
Outs: Cameron Francis (SA), Rob Kensey (QLD)


PINT struggled with their batting depth last season and a bowler to back up Richie Hodgson. Simon Lavers did all the work batting wise and it wasn't until Nick Berry arrived did the Greens look threatening. The arrival of a genuine spin option, along with some solid bats, should put PINT right among the pigeons. Along with Martin Brown being available for the season, PINT should go close.


Players to Watch: Simon Lavers, Nick Berry, Richie Hodgson



 
Palmerston
Captain: Shane Chatto Coach: Shane Chatto
Last Year: 2nd O.D. & 3rd T20 Competitions, 5th Two Day Competition.
This Year Predictions: 4th L.O. Cup & 6th Two Day Competition
Ins: Paul Carbone (Tracy Village), Shane Chatto (NT/SA), Udara Weerasinghe (Sri Lanka/VIC), Luke Doran (NSW), Alex Kemp (QLD)
Outs: Darcy Short (WA), Craig Jensen (WA), Matthew Wall (WA), Trent Deveraux (Southern Districts)


With rumours flying around all during the off season on who was coming or going, no one really ended up leaving that wasn't expected to. Short and Jensen are a big loss, but should be covered in part by Chatto and Carbone. A poor finish to the last half of the season, saw them miss out by the barest of margins. They're expected to improve, but the competition looks to be already ahead of them. Early wins are crucial as the Power generally fade in the second half.


Players to Watch: Matthew Hanna, Alex Bleakley


Southern Districts
Captain: Dwayne Richards (TBC) Coach: David King
Last Year: 7th O.D. & T20 Competition, 6th Two Day Competition
This Year Predictions: 7th L.O. Cup & Two Day Competition
Ins: Trent Deveraux (Palmerston), Jordan Silk (NSW), Alex Ross (SA), Kieran Voelk (VIC),
Outs: Tom Moffat (SA), Matt Harper (VIC)


Southern Districts season will be determined by their first few games. They have the potential to cause upsets but lack the ability to win games when they're on the line. Todd Pemble has lost some decent support with the ball through Harper leaving, so they will rely heavily on posting large totals if they're any chance of progressing this season.


Players to Watch: Todd Pemble, Dwayne Richards


Waratah
Captain: Brett Gardiner Coach: Rhett Bowden
Last Year: 6th O.D. & 8th T20 Competitions, 7th Two Day Competition
This Year Predictions: 6th L.O. Cup & 6th Two Day Competition
Ins: Michael Hill (VIC), Jonathon Wells (TAS), Steven Reid (VIC), Corey Harris (VIC), Richard Lane (TBA)
Outs: Michael Clarke (QLD), Shane Piercy (QLD), Isaiah Borags (SA)


If Tahs can get a fully fit side on the ground, they'll be as competitive as any team in the competition. Brett Gardiner should find superb support with the draftees and the addition of Hill, it will come down to their bowling stocks. If Kym Lawrence and Ryan Green are fully fit, their bowling should be good enough. Early wins are again crucial not only for their finals hopes but the club as a whole.


Players to Watch: Kym Lawrence, Brett Gardiner
 
Round 1 - Saturday 9th April
Tracy Village defeated by Palmerston at Tracy Village Oval
Waratah defeated Southern Districts (Duckworth Lewis Method) at Kormilda College (moved from Gardens Oval) - Result TBC
Darwin no play against Nightcliff at Nightcliff Oval (moved from Kahlin Oval)
PINT - Bye

All games were rain affected to some extent, most seconds games were called off, while TV and Palmerston were the only matches were the full allocation were completed in the premier grade.
 
Looks as though Tahs actually lost under the Duckworth-Lewis method. A robbery one might call it, considering Districts recovered from 5 for 13 to post 9 for 80. Tahs were 2 for 20 after 5.1. Very tough call.
 
Not by the look of todays weather. Always a chance of a late storm but geez after the week we have had, we would be unlucky if it rained.
 
I can't believe our luck today.
Nightcliff is apparently marginal atm. If it were to rain for another hour, no chance.
 
Besides C grade, not sure what other grades played. PINT and Palmerston were the only 1sts teams to get away, PINT winning in a rain reduced match, 15 overs per side I believe. Nick Berry took a couple and made 30 odd, along with Hodgson and Lavers.
 
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