Sub Parks send a message to rivals
SUB Parks captain Mark Taviani says his side is trying to avoid thinking about extending a title streak he believes may not be seen again after they put aside their recent sluggish form to book a Twenty20 finals spot.
After a shock slump in the 50-over competition with no wins since November, the traditional competition heavyweights are relieved to have rediscovered their mojo after going unbeaten in three round robin games, with the rematch of last year’s final against Brothers washed out.
Sub Parks will take on Norths in the preliminary final this Friday night, with Brothers advancing directly to Saturday night’s final after beating Norths by two runs via the Duckworth-lewis method yesterday.
Daniel Gartrell was superb for the Redbacks in Saturday night’s 11-run win over Wests, blasting an unbeaten 67 off 49 balls in their total of 3-149, before claiming 3-13 off three overs to help reduce Wests to 6-138.
Sub Parks also proved far too strong for Wanderers earlier in the day, Jamie Heit and Trent Walsh both taking three wickets to dismiss them for 81 before the batsmen hauled in the small total inside 13 overs.
Sub Parks are searching for a ninth straight Twenty20 title, and Taviani said the switch to the shorter format had allowed his team to find some confidence.
“I think we needed the change in format to spark us back up,” he said.
“It definitely suits us. We have plenty of guys who go pretty hard but we’ve done the little things right so far.
“Our running between the wickets and fielding have been good, it’s got us back into the cricket we’re used to playing.
“Hopefully it can continue for another couple of months.” Taviani will miss the finals next week due to an overseas trip, with Brothers and Norths the others to make the last three.
Brothers have been bolstered by the return of quality batsmen Andrew Boyle and Craig Mcelligott, and Taviani expects them to pose a big threat. “It’s probably the strongest side they’ve had for a few years,” Taviani said.
In other matches an unbeaten 66 off 48 balls from Ty Snow helped Norths to an easy six-wicket win over Wests on Saturday and Wanderers won a two-run thriller against Norths on Friday night.