BATHURST City have a simple aim this Saturday: Begin their Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade two-day games the same way they started the one-dayers.
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Their three games winning streak to start their campaign paved the way for a top-of-the-table finish at the midway point of the season.
Now they face the team who were on the wrong end of the first result, City Colts.
The first against second contest was delayed a week due to a dangerous playing surface on the Sportsground’s outfield, which leaves the match in a one-day overs and scoring format.
Both teams turned up to assess the ground last Saturday morning but limited drainage on the ground left patches of water across the outfield, including the run up areas.
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Redbacks captain Joey Coughlan said a strong one-day portion of the season has paid off for both his side and Colts considering the lost day of play.
“We’re lucky that we’re first and second and sitting up the top,” he said.
“If it were say Centennials and they were playing for a maximum of eight points only that would be tough. If it’s a normal two-dayer then you can play for 14 points if you take maximum bonus points.
“We lose the opportunity to earn those extra points but there’s not much that you can do about it.”
Indeed there isn’t, but thankfully for both teams there’s plenty of sunshine predicted for Saturday.
Redbacks’ Coughlan and Ben Orme plus Bathurst representative pair Aditya Adey and Mark Day will be the players to watch as the club makes a transition back to the longer format.
Redbacks won two of their Twenty20 games before the Christmas break.
Bathurst City (18) carries a narrow one-point lead over Colts.
The Rugby Union (15) and St Pat’s (12) match this Saturday looks certain to be decided on first innings.