Emus hungry to achieve success on turf

THE Emu Valley Cricket Association has signalled its intentions to go one better in next week's Bendigo Bank Country Week Cricket carnival.The Emus lost last year's John Turner Memorial Shield title decider against Maryborough, but return in 2010 with increased hunger.Emu Valley's one and only division two win came in 1957, when the league beat Mansfield.They will hit off this year's carnival under lights at the Queen Elizabeth Oval tomorrow against Ferntree Gully.Sedgwick's Scott McKenzie and Marong's Scott Ross will lead the 20-man squad into battle, both of whom have had grand final experience in the past three years.The availability of pace bowler Keiran Nihill, hard-hitting batsman Richard Murphy and league leading run-scorer Phil Berry will form a nucleus for the association to build on.Co-selector Shane Robinson described the squad as very talented and as having the ability to win five days of cricket.``It's been a much harder job to select a squad this year, given the number of quality players who have put their hand up,'' Robinson said.``But we believe the squad has a great balance of players to get the job done with the bat, the ball and in the field.``Starting the carnival under lights at the QEO will be a major thrill for the team, but essentially, we have to get off to a winning start and set our carnival up.``If you lose the first game, you're always playing catch up to get back into grand final contention.''Aside from day one at the QEO, Emu Valley plays at Huntly, Eaglehawk and Weeroona Oval, and the grand final for division two will be at Eaglehawk.Meanwhile, the Emu Valley Cricket Association will again field a Colts side in The City of Greater Bendigo Shield division four competition.The side is made up primarily of under-19 players, giving them the opportunity to play some games on turf wickets and represent the association.The Colts play at Spring Gully on Monday and Tuesday, Bell Oval on Wednesday and then at Colbinabbin on Thursday.The division four grand final will be played at Scott Street in White Hills.