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Bayswater-Morley will be out for revenge after last month’s
KMPG Statewide T20 final defeat to Melville when the two sides meet in Sunday’s
One Day League decider at the WACA Ground.
The Bears are boosted by the availability of former
Warriors skipper Marcus North, who missed last month’s T20 decider due to Perth Scorchers duty, but will go
into the contest as underdogs.
The Storm have been all conquering this season, leading the
way in the District First Grade competition along with their shorter format
successes.
Bayswater-Morley coach Craig Kirkby said having North
available was a big boost for his side and added it was a chance for him to
push his case for Warriors selection.
"Marcus is pretty excited about this game. I had a chat to
him this week and he’s pretty focused,” Kirkby said.
"He likes playing for Bayswater. He enjoys it every time
that we play so he’s really looking forward to this game.”
Kirkby said North along with Warriors bowler Nathan
Rimmington would play a key role for his youthful side on the WACA Ground.
"Probably 50 per cent of our team has played on the WACA
before so having Rimmington and North, who’ve played a fair bit of cricket at
the WACA, has given us a bit of an insight into what we need to do and what not
to do,” he said.
"We’re relying on those two to help us through and to impart
their knowledge on the younger guys in the group.”
Melville have an experienced group, with Drew Porter, Ryan
Duffield and Luke Towers their standout players. Porter is the Storm’s leading
run scorer in this season’s One Day League, while they’ve had an even spread of
wicket takers with Ryan James and Tom Kerr-Sheppard the most prolific.
"Melville are in my opinion the best side in the competition,”
Kirkby added.
"They’ve got a lot of experience right through their group,
batters and bowlers, but as they say, if it bleeds you can kill it.”
Aaron Todd is Bayswater-Morley’s leading run scorer in all
competitions. Todd’s century in their opening One Day League group game against Mount Lawley
was a particular highlight and he’s a player to look out for.
T20 final Man of the Match Ross Loiacono has been one of the
Bears’ best wicket takers in the 50-over format this season, along with Liam O’Connor.
Play gets underway at the WACA Ground on Sunday at 10.45am.
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