With finals in their sights, Balgownie will aim to clinch victory on Saturday to start 2021 on the right foot. Cricket Illawarra's one-day competition resumes after the Christmas break, with the Magpies travelling to Figtree to take on Wests. It shapes as a crunch clash for Graeme Batty's men, who sit in fifth spot on the ladder. The Balgownie captain knows the importance of securing the win on Saturday. "You've got to get points now. We dropped a couple of crucial games just before Christmas, but that was with a few guys out," Batty said. "With a full-strength team after Christmas, we need to grab full points for the next three games to not make it too close and to play finals." Read more: The Rail hunt crucial South Coast Cricket victory However, Saturday's match is just as important for Wests, who sit one spot below Balgownie on the ladder. "It's always a really good clash against them, we're two teams with a lot of history. It's always a really competitive game," Batty said. "We're really looking forward to it. If we can get on the paddock, I think it will be a bowler-friendly wicket judging by the weather. We're ready to rip in after Christmas." Read more: Lakers target T20 title defence The Magpies head into the second half of the season with three wins in the bank. Batty believes there's still plenty of room for improvement, but he had been happy with their batting performances in 2020/21. Adam Berwick has in particular impressed, scoring more than 280 across all formats, while Robert Fisher also averages over 30. "Our batting has been really pleasing, we've put some big totals on. Our batting is our strength and the most important guys in our team are in form like Adam Berwick and Robert Fisher," he said. "Our biggest disappointment is being unable to get people on the park. We've had a lot of injuries with Jamie Fleming, Jason Bunyan and a few other guys out. "To win this year, we need our full team [available]." However, not all Illawarra cricketers will return to the field on Saturday. Cricket Illawarra confirmed on Friday that two first grade matches - Northern Districts versus Keira and Helensburgh versus Port Kembla - had been cancelled due to the wet weather. But University's match against Corrimal at University Oval and Wollongong versus Dapto at North Dalton Park are both scheduled to proceed. Cricket Illawarra also announced that the second grade game between Keira and Northern Districts had been cancelled, as had Dapto's clash with Wollongong. Saturday's third grade matches between Wests and Keira Black, and Uni Grey and Dapto have been moved to Wiseman Park and Beaton Park respectively.
KEY MAN: Robert Fisher shapes as crucial for Balgownie's fortunes when the cricket returns on Saturday. Picture: Anna Warr
With finals in their sights, Balgownie will aim to clinch victory on Saturday to start 2021 on the right foot.
Cricket Illawarra's one-day competition resumes after the Christmas break, with the Magpies travelling to Figtree to take on Wests.
It shapes as a crunch clash for Graeme Batty's men, who sit in fifth spot on the ladder. The Balgownie captain knows the importance of securing the win on Saturday.
"You've got to get points now. We dropped a couple of crucial games just before Christmas, but that was with a few guys out," Batty said.
"With a full-strength team after Christmas, we need to grab full points for the next three games to not make it too close and to play finals."
However, Saturday's match is just as important for Wests, who sit one spot below Balgownie on the ladder.
"It's always a really good clash against them, we're two teams with a lot of history. It's always a really competitive game," Batty said. "We're really looking forward to it. If we can get on the paddock, I think it will be a bowler-friendly wicket judging by the weather. We're ready to rip in after Christmas."
The Magpies head into the second half of the season with three wins in the bank. Batty believes there's still plenty of room for improvement, but he had been happy with their batting performances in 2020/21.
Adam Berwick has in particular impressed, scoring more than 280 across all formats, while Robert Fisher also averages over 30.
"Our batting has been really pleasing, we've put some big totals on. Our batting is our strength and the most important guys in our team are in form like Adam Berwick and Robert Fisher," he said. "Our biggest disappointment is being unable to get people on the park. We've had a lot of injuries with Jamie Fleming, Jason Bunyan and a few other guys out.
"To win this year, we need our full team [available]."
FOCUSED: Graeme Batty. Picture: Adam McLean
However, not all Illawarra cricketers will return to the field on Saturday.
Cricket Illawarra confirmed on Friday that two first grade matches - Northern Districts versus Keira and Helensburgh versus Port Kembla - had been cancelled due to the wet weather.
But University's match against Corrimal at University Oval and Wollongong versus Dapto at North Dalton Park are both scheduled to proceed.
Cricket Illawarra also announced that the second grade game between Keira and Northern Districts had been cancelled, as had Dapto's clash with Wollongong.
Saturday's third grade matches between Wests and Keira Black, and Uni Grey and Dapto have been moved to Wiseman Park and Beaton Park respectively.
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