by lion heart » Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:55 pm
Top spot up for grabs in Big Bash23 January, 2011
Luke Buttigieg, Sportal
Tigers celebrate Top spot will be on the line when Tasmania and South Australia lock horns in the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash at Bellerive Oval on Monday night, with the winner to also go a long way to ensuring they at least reach the preliminary final.
Both teams go into the game with three wins from their four outings so far in the competition, the Tigers' only defeat an eight-wicket hammering from the Bulls at the Gabba while the Redbacks were humbled in their opener by the Blues at Adelaide Oval.
With the match brought forward 90 minutes to a 530pm (AEDT) start to accommodate the rescheduled clash between Queensland and New South Wales, the hosts have made just one change to their 12-man squad.
Spinner Xavier Doherty's call-up to the Australian one-day squad after Nathan Hauritz was forced out of the Commonwealth Bank Series due to shoulder surgery has resulted in a recall for all-rounder Luke Butterworth, with the final XI to be named on Monday afternoon.
South Australia have been forced to replace Kieron Pollard in their squad after the star all-rounder was ordered home to the West Indies to prepare for next month's World Cup, robbing them of his services for the final two preliminary games and whatever part they play in the finals.
"He's a hard player to replace, especially this year," said Redbacks skipper Michael Klinger of Pollard's absence.
"His form with the ball as well as the bat has been excellent but we're very confident."
"We didn't have him in the Champions League and we played some really good cricket over there."
Also out is fast bowler Ben Edmondson because of a groin injury, leading to Redbacks selectors naming a 13-man squad that includes the additions of Aiden Blizzard, Cameron Borgas and Jake Haberfield.
"We've got Cameron Borgas and Aiden Blizzard who can come in to replace him (Pollard) and who we know can perform really well for us so we're looking for some big things from them ahead of the last couple of games."
After Monday's game, Tasmania round off their home-and-away campaign with another clash with Western Australia at home on Thursday while South Australia travel to Melbourne to take on Victoria on Friday.
Tasmania squad:
George Bailey (c), Travis Birt, Luke Butterworth, Mark Cosgrove, Brendan Drew, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Jason Krejza, Rhett Lockyear, Rana Naveed, Ryan ten Doeschate, Jon Wells
South Australia squad:
Michael Klinger (c), Aiden Blizzard, Cameron Borgas, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Jake Haberfield, Daniel Harris, Nathan Lyon, Graham Manou, Aaron O'Brien, Adil Rashid, Kane Richardson
O’Sullivan Beach F.C Est. 1975
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O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale F.C Est. 2001
Premierships
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