Bell chimes with push up order

THOMSON will go in with a reshuffled top order tomorrow as the search continues for the ideal batting formula.

The GCA3 premiership favourites require a further 43 runs with nine wickets in hand tomorrow to knock off Alexander Thomson.

The Tigers will resume at 1-59, with Grant Dew (28 not out) and a promoted Corey Bell (14 not out) at the crease.

In his three previous first XI games, Bell has batted no higher than No.7, but Thomson captain Adam Bliss believes he can be a longterm solution to uncertainty surrounding the top order.

“He’s got a fantastic temperament as a batsman,” Bliss said of Bell.

“The way our batting has been going, the way our teams is set up with ‘Hicksy’ (Jayden Hicks), ‘Dewy’ and myself bowling a lot of overs and batting in the top six, too, it’s a tough balance. We had 26 overs to negotiate, and it was a perfect platform for him.

“He didn’t play a false shot and didn’t give a chance, so his promotion is well deserved. He’s taken the chance with both hands.

“I think he showed he can be a top order bat.”

The Thomson top three has been a merry-go-round this season, with Suhas Jadhav, Hamish Coulston, Sam Stoneley, Jhiah Baxter and Dew having all had opportun- ities at the top of the order.

But Bliss believes Bell is well suited to opening in the two-day format as opposed to white-ball cricket.

“Corey he bats like a top order batsman, and he’s done all the right things when it comes to two-day cricket — it’s his game and it showed; he batted beautifully,” he said.

“We’ve got a one dayer next week, so there might be a reshuffle there.

“Like all teams, we want to get our order set so we’re right for Christmas.”

Geelong City 252 v Grovedale 0-11; St Joseph’s 9-256 v Leopold; North Geelong 236 v South Barwon; Newtown & Chilwell 8-294 v Murgheboluc; Lara v East Belmont (one-day)

Manifold Heights 9-175 v Bell Park; Marshall 236 v Bell Post Hill; Newcomb & District 212 v Torquay 0-5; Highton v St Peter’s (one-day)

Geelong West 274 v GuildSaints; Thomson 1-59 v Alexander Thomson 101; Modewarre 6-144 v Corio 109; St Albans Breakwater v Waurn Ponds-Deakin (one-day)

Inverleigh v Barrabool; Barwon Heads v Queenscliff; Anglesea v Ocean Grove; Little River v Portarlington; Drysdale v Collendina; Winchelsea v Jan Juc

GCA2: GCA3: BPCA: