Stars’ win means Cats avoid battle with Handscomb, Maddinson

GEELONG has avoided a meeting with Melbourne Stars duo Pete Handscomb and Nic Maddinson, but will be without its frontline quick for today’s crucial clash against St Kilda.

Cats fast bowler Dom McGlinchey has confirmed he will miss the two-day match against the Saints at Geelong Cricket Ground due to work commitments with the Melbourne Stars, who are in Sydney for tonight’s Big Bash League grand final.

The Stars overcame Sydney Thunder by 28 runs in Thursday night’s Challenger at the MCG, meaning the Stars’ Handscomb and Maddinson are no longer in the frame to play for St Kilda in Premier cricket.

It also means McGlinchey is out of the Cats side that needs to win to remain in touch with the top eight.

“It’s unfortunate, you never want to miss games of cricket, but that’s a reality of not being a professional cricketer. Work can get in the way,” said McGlinchey, the Stars’ commercial partnerships manager.

“I’ve been able to juggle it really well this season, but making the final is a pretty important night for us professionally as well. It’s not ideal, but we’ve got enough depth at the club that someone will step in and do a good job.”

While McGlinchey’s absence is a blow for Geelong, it is also a blessing in disguise that Handscomb and Maddinson won’t be striding to the crease against the Cats.

“It’s a silver lining, but at the same time you want to play against the best in Premier cricket, so any time these guys are a 50-50 chance, you’d much rather see them playing than not,” McGlinchey said.

“But I’m unsure if those guys would have played after a long BBL campaign. It’s unfortunate they’re not playing because it’s good for the competition and our young side to see how they stack up.”

Cats coach Tim Ludeman confirmed Luke Guest would replace McGlinchey, while top-order batsman Tyler Larkin remained in doubt after suffering a hand injury in last week’s draw against Essendon.

“Larkin split his webbing last week and he’s getting his stitches out, so we won’t know about him until then,” Ludeman said.

“He’s a tough little bugger, he didn’t show any pain. He kept going. It’s up to him if he feels he can get through, and if he can, he’ll stay in the team.”

Sitting ninth, it’s a must-win game for Geelong.

“It’s that time of the year where you want to be stringing wins together to have momentum coming into the business end of the season,” Ludeman said.