Uni eager to get first shield points on board
CRICKET: The start of the Harding-Madsen Shield was an anticlimactic affair for University.
After a long off-season, the heavens opened and prevented them from taking the field against the Northsiders.
While the forecast is for further rain to hit, they are desperately hoping to get out onto the field to take on Met-Easts today, who also weren’t able to secure a result from their opening match.
The Trojans were well poised after 29 overs with the ball against Laidley before the heavens opened and both sides were forced to settle for a draw.
University captain Tully Wilson said despite the disappointment of the opening round, the team had been preparing
well with a number of handy off-season additions.
“It was pretty disappointing. We were all pretty keen to play but the rain wasn’t on our side,” Wilson said.
“Training has been pretty good. We’ve had a fair new numbers and more than I’ve seen over the past few years.
“We’ve been going once a week for the last 8-10 weeks. There’s a lot of new faces and that will be good for the Agrade side.
“They’re fitting in really well and we’re all pretty good mates which makes it a lot easier.”
Wilson was wary of the challenge that the Trojans will bring to Harristown Park today, but had confidence in his team despite the threat of further rain.
“They’re definitely a strong side. We have to play to our game plan, bowl tight lines and get early wickets. It will be a tough game if we can get on (to play),” he said.
“A lot of the new players that have come in are batsmen so we’ve gotten a bit stronger there compared to previous years.
“We have a few young bowlers coming through as well, so we have definitely improved in all departments.
“(The rain) is always in the back of your mind. If it’s going to be a shortened game we can always change up the batting order, but it’s always tough when weather is playing on your mind.”
In other matches, Wests are looking to back-up their opening round win over the Diggers when they travel to Redbank Plains to take on the Redbacks, Southern Districts head to Ipswich to take on the Northsiders, Northern Brothers will aim for to get off the mark at home to Brothers, and HighfieldsRailways host Lockyer.