Robbie Anderson … vital key at the top of the Red Star batting order. PHOTOS/FILE
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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The equation for Wairarapa Mitsubishi Greytown is easy in today’s last round of the Bidwill Cup – win one bonus point and they will guarantee their place in the final, and with it the advantage of being top qualifiers.
The equation is also simple for Burger King Red Star – win outright with three bonus points while denying Greytown a bonus point, and they’re in the final, with a chance of defending their title.
Although Red Star would be warmly favoured to win, given the depth of their team, denying Greytown a bonus point could be a difficult task.
Bonus points are awarded in the first innings only, for three, six and nine wickets for the bowling side, and 125, 175, and 200 runs for the batting team.
So Greytown only need to take three wickets if bowling first or score 125 runs if batting first to confirm their place in the final.
The latter could be the more difficult challenge on a Queen Elizabeth Park Oval pitch which has offered plenty of early assistance for the seam bowlers in recent games, especially if Red Star front with a full-strength pace bowling attack led by Central Districts ‘A’ representative Stefan Hook, and with support from fellow Wairarapa representatives Peter Sigvertsen and Jared Watt.
The makeup of both sides won’t be confirmed until the toss today, but it is understood Greytown are struggling to field a competitive team, with several players, including Wairarapa representative captain Gordon Reisima and all-rounder Roshan Sugathan thought to be unavailable.
Both would be a big loss; Reisima for his aggressive medium-pace bowling and ability to score runs quickly and his leadership in the field, while Sugathan has impressed with his left-arm spin and composure with the bat.
Greytown are likely to call up players from their Open Grade Pope and Gray team to fill the void left by the unavailable players.
Although bowling is Red Star’s strength, their batting line-up cannot be ignored.
If players such as Wairarapa representatives Robbie Anderson, Nathan Elliott, Hook and Paddy Gluck, and Jeremy Anderson find form, they can compile a big score.
They would need a total of 200 or more if batting first, but they cannot afford to lose three wickets, a tricky proposition with the likely favourable bowling conditions on the Oval pitch.
Jackson Street Lansdowne have already qualified for the two-day final at the Oval on March 20-21.
