Middle management the key for Maryvale XI
CRICKET: Maryvale Condamine captain Andrew Ryan believes his team needs to bat and bowl better in the middle overs of each innings if it wants to make it to this season's Condamine Cup A-grade grand final.
Maryvale will be at full strength for the qualifying final on Sunday against Redbacks at Slade Park.
"Mitch Bourke is coming home from Toowoomba Grammar to play: His school team doesn't have a game on Sunday,” Ryan said.
Maryvale lost its last game against Redbacks but Ryan believes his side improved its batting in recent weeks.
"We were let down in the middle segments of each innings in both batting and bowling last weekend,” he said.
"Kev Bourke and Will Gordon are two of the bowlers I will be relying on for tight overs.”
Ryan has noticed the marked improvement in the bowling of Tom Bourke this season.
"Tom is doing a bit more with the ball and is bowling pretty quick. I will use him as an impact bowler in short spells.”
Ryan is planning some tight bowling early against Redbacks trump Coen Slatter.
"Jamie Saunders and Tyhe Clarkson are other batsmen we have to watch in the Redbacks side.”
Redbacks finished third in the fixture season and beat premiers Wheatvale by five wickets last week in the minor semi so proved they can mix it with the more favoured teams in their first season.
The winner will play Colts in the March 25 grand final at Slade Park.
