Cricketers chase titles

A minute's silence to pay tribute to the victims and families of the Asia Tsunami will be held before today's play in all divisions.

The Advertiser's LUKE WEST sums up the chances of the division one teams, and the players to watch.

CAMPASPE Division one premierships: One - 1993.

Last year: d Seymour by 176 runs, lt Northern United by 24 runs, d Red Cliffs by 92 runs, d Northern District by 135 runs, d Northern United by 10 wickets.

First in division two.

Clubs: Bamawm Lockington United, Bunnaloo, Echuca, Echuca South, Moama, Rochester Tigers and Rochester United.

Squad: Steve Rasmussen (captain), Rohan Ault, Scott Briggs, Brett Catteral, Dillon Cuttriss, Anthony Farrant, Grant Harrison, Tim Hermans, Matt Hyden, Matt Key, Travis Mancer, Paul Marshall, Adrian Pappin, Brendan Prendergast, Tom Sheldon, Jon Varcoe, Darren Wright.

Draw: v Castlemaine (at Eaglehawk), v Kyabram (at Elmore), v Murray Valley (at North Bendigo), v Wimmera Mallee (at Huntly).

Captain's thoughts: "We've got a good squad and hopefully we will be more than competitive.

"We've made some good progress over the past few years coming from division three and then two and we know division one will be tougher, but everyone is excited about the challenge.

"We have a pretty even team." - Steve Rasmussen.

CASTLEMAINE Division one premierships: One - 1987.

Last year: d Wimmera Mallee by nine runs, d Benalla by 35 runs, lt Kyabram by 205 runs, d Deniliquin by 82 runs, lt Murray Valley by 146 runs.

Second in division one.

Clubs: Barkers Creek, Campbells Creek, Castlemaine United, Guildford, Maldon, Muckleford, Newstead, North Castlemaine and Taradale.

Squad: Brenton Jones (captain), Jamie Allan, Russell Chapman, Brett Cole, Chris Edwards, Ian Garsed, Darren Gervasoni, Corey Hall, Josh Hutchison, Rob Lee, Sam Quick, David Semmens, Glenn Wallace.

Draw: v Campaspe (at Eaglehawk), v Wimmera Mallee (at White Hills), v Kyabram (at QEO), v Northern United (at Golden Square).

Captain's thoughts: "We've got a pretty good side and we want to do better than we have in the past couple of years rather than being the runner-up.

"We have a lot of depth in our batting and bowling and our fielding is good, so we're pretty confident of being able to go well." _Brenton Jones.

KYABRAM Division one premierships: Four - 1990, 1996, 2000 and 2001.

Last year: lt Benalla by 108 runs, d Deniliquin by 128 runs, d Castlemaine by 205 runs, d Murray Valley by 26 runs.

Third in division one.

Clubs: Cooma, Fire Brigade, Kyabram, Nathalia, Stanhope, Tatura and Tongala.

Squad: Paul Ranson (captain), Matt Dawson, John Mann, Chris McCallum, Ashley Nunn, Darren Ohlsen, Paul Parsons, Ashley Quinn, Josh Rankin, Braden Stone, Clint Trimby, Peter Watt.

Draw: v Northern United (at Harry Trott Oval), v Campaspe (at Elmore), v Castlemaine (at QEO), v Murray Valley (at Eaglehawk).

Captain's thoughts: "We're pretty positive about the week.

"We have a good group of young cricketers who are all good competitors, so we're hoping to play some positive cricket and win enough games to allow us to play on the Friday.

"We probably have a better squad compared to last year, so we're expecting to do OK." - Paul Ranson.

MURRAY VALLEY Division one premierships: Two - 2003 and 2004.

Last year: d Deniliquin by 68 runs, d Wimmera Mallee by 156 runs, d Benalla by 56 runs, lt Kyabram by 26 runs, d Castlemaine by 146 runs.

First in division one.

Clubs: Barooga, Cobram, Katamatite, Katunga, Mulwala, Strathmerton, Waaia and Yarroweyah United.

Squad: Mick Cleeland (captain), Chris Armstrong, Damian Atkins, Dean Clavis, Adam Cook, Justin Elliott, Travis Hand, Matt Jaensch, Damian Ryan, Brent Smith, Byron Smith, Rhys Smith, Jamie Stanyer, Adam Trett, Graeme Walker.

Draw: v Wimmera Mallee (at QEO), v Northern United (at Bell Oval), v Campaspe (at North Bendigo), v Kyabram (Eaglehawk).

Captain's thoughts: "Our squad is looking pretty good and we should be equally as good as last year." There has been some turnover of players, but we have some good inclusions that will cover the losses.

"We're looking forward to coming over and it certainly makes it more exciting when you know you are defending the title." - Mick Cleeland.

NORTHERN UNITED Division one premierships: One - 1934.

Last year: d Red Cliffs by 62 runs, d Campaspe by 24 runs, d Cohuna by four runs, d Seymour by 130 runs, lt Campaspe by 10 wickets.

Second in division two.

Clubs: Bagshot, Calivil, Colbinabbin, Dingee, Elmore, Goornong, Kamarooka and Raywood.

Squad: Jamie Sexton (captain), Graeme Beagly, Rohan Blampied, Dave Boyack, Joe Boyer, Rod Brady, Nathan Cail, Adrian Carr, Alistair Carr, Anthony Civarella, Adrian Cronin, Errol Hay, Anthony Lawry, Scott Lawry, Rob Lowes, Travis Nights, Greg O'Brien, Bruce Wallace, Matt Weeks, Matt Wright, Ebon Young.

Draw: v Kyabram (Harry Trott Oval), v Murray Valley (Bell Oval), v Wimmera Mallee (Eaglehawk), v Castlemaine (Golden Square).

Captain's thoughts: "We should have a pretty reasonable side.

"We've still got the main players we've had for the past three or four years and we have played off in a final every year.

"We have a fairly experienced team and it's the the first time the league has been in the top division for 14 or 15 years, so we're looking forward to that." - Jamie Sexton.

WIMMERA MALLEE Division one premierships: Nil.

Last year: lt Castlemaine by nine runs, lt Murray Valley by 156 runs, d Deniliquin by 108 runs, d Benalla by 20 runs.

Fourth in division one.

Clubs: ANA Boolite, Beulah Hopetoun, Birchip, Brim Kellalac, Charlton, Jeffcott, Marnoo, St Mary's, Rich Avon Services, Sheep Hills, and Wycheproof-Narraport.

Squad: Lachlan Jones (captain), Ricky Allan, Brent Barber, Brian Beckham, Rohan Brown, Brad Burke, Sean Cockfield, Matthew Crisp, Iain Davidson, Armand Duxson, Brendan Gretgrix, Dion Hawkes, Graeme Holland, Brent Hudson, Peter Lehmann, Mark McPherson, Stewart McPherson.

Draw: v Murray Valley (at QEO), v Castlemaine (at White Hills), v Northern United (at Eaglehawk), v Campaspe (at Huntly).

Captain's thoughts: "Our squad is going pretty well, so I expect we will be competitive during the week.

"We only missed out last year on making the final by one game, so making this year's final is definitely the aim.

"All our blokes are keen and ready to have a red-hot crack and we have a good mix of batting and bowling strength, so we should go well." - Lachlan Jones