By Jonty Ralphsmith
It’s the 2022-23 ladder-leader against the long time DDCA Turf 2 powerhouses.
A boom opening pairing against the Sweeney brothers, ex-Vic Premier cricketers who lead the Cranbourne line-up.
The grand final will be contested by the two teams which have been in the most ominous form since Christmas and it is a genuine flip of the coin.
They’ve split their two home-and-away clashes, and there’s little to go off from those games to get a clear indication of who is going to win.
Cranbourne will back itself to maintain momentum if it takes early scalps.
Beaconsfield will hope Cal Tout and co. can take early wickets – as much to get the openers – as to put the Sweeney boys under early pressure.
If the stars align, Mick Sweeney’s former coach Mark Cooper could be sending down some leggies to him at some stage.
It’s all there to play for and while Beaconsfield enter as a team with lots of individuals with some form behind them, Cranbourne will reflect on the semi and know they were solid, if unspectacular, overall: a premiership blueprint.
The only question left to be answered is whether Cranbourne allrounder Harsaroup Singh gets up for the clash.
The aggressive opener and spinner faced throwdowns last Thursday and was close to playing the semi.
For the balance and depth of the Eagles side, they’ll be crossing everything that he gets up.
BEACONSFIELD
WEAPON: Opening pair: what’s left to say? The left-hand right-hand combination of Mark Cooper and Tyler Clark complement each other so well, as has been written so many times this season, allowing each other to play to their strengths and providing a foundation.
It’s interesting to note that in both clashes between the two teams, Marty Kelly has gotten Cooper and Pete Sweeney has removed Clark.
They’ve both had a quiet couple of weeks so surely at least one of them gets going.
UNHERALDED PLAYER
Ashan Madushanka: One of the most watchable players in Turf 2 when he’s up and going, it was terrific to see Madushanka get some runs on the weekend and the elegant lefty will hope to back it up.
His spinners also add a different dynamic to the bowling attack and he’s gone wicketless just twice this season – once against Cranbourne.
CRANBOURNE
WEAPON: The Sweeney boys: It’s no coincidence that the ever-dominant Turf 2 cricketers finding form with the bat after Christmas has been right when the Eagles’ season got rolling.
UNHERALDED PLAYER
Tim Fathers: Is a highly-commended contributor by Mick Sweeney with his seam-up balls. Penetrates batters with accuracy rather than pace which makes him a good partnership bowler. Epitomises the solid role player that premierships are built upon.
THE TIP
It’s Mark Cooper to lead Beaconsfield to glory.
