Halls Gap were disappointed by its first Grampians Cricket Association performance and have vowed to improve when they take on Swifts Great Western.
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Halls Gap will be up against it when they meet the inform Combine. The Combine secured a comfortable round one victory over Pomonal.
Halls Gap captain Sean Mantell said it would be one of their toughest matches for the season.
“Obviously it's gonna be a pretty tough match coming up against Swifts,” Mantell said.
“They're the benchmark of the competition and we will have to be at our best if we have any chance of beating them.”
Halls Gap have made several changes to its line up with Andrew Cameron unavailable and Nick Seeay out with a hamstring injury.
Adam Taylor, Adam Leslie, Dylan Oneill and Ben Iseppi will all come back into the line up.
Mantell said the inclusion of new players would bolster their bowling attack.
“The inclusions of Dylan Oneill and Ben Iseppi will definitely help out with our bowling depth,” Mantell said.
“Our bowling was an area that let us down last week. Our bowling attack will mainly be all pace.
Hallls Gap often rely on its pace bowlers to get the job done.
Mantell however will give Justin Harney the ball at some stage this weekend.
“Last week we were pretty undermanned with our bowlers,” Mantell said.
“Justin Harney bowls spin and he will definitely be getting a go at some stage during the game.”
Mantell said it was important for Halls Gap to get early wickets to stop the likes of Sam Cocks and Travis Nicholson finding confidence at the crease,
“Sam Cocks and Travis Nicholson are two of their key players that we need to try get out early,” he said.
“The longer they are there the more dangerous they become. Once they get going they are hard to stop.”
After only just ticking over a 100 runs last week Halls Gap will need to make more runs to be competitive against Swifts Great Western.
Damian Joiner looked in good form with the bat last weekend in his short time at the crease.
Mantell is hoping to have more contributors at the top of the order.
“We need to make a big score,” Mantell said.
“100 runs is nowhere near enough when your playing at a ground like Halls Gap.
We need to spend a bit more time getting ourselves in then going on to make a big score.”
Swift Great Western will be lacking bowlers with Marc Brilliant, Jamie Bach and Tom Eckel all unavailable for the match.
“We are unsure who will step up at this stage, I have left in the boys hands,” Marc Brilliant said.
The game will be played at Halls Gap Oval.
They're the benchmark of the competition and we will have to be at our best if we have any chance of beating them.
- Sean Mantell