CLASSY: Strathdale-Maristians coach and talented all-rounder Cameron Taylor will play a key role in the weekend's grand final against Eaglehawk. Picture: JULIE HOUGH
BENDIGO District Cricket Association president Wayne Walsh yesterday declared the QEO wicket was fine for this weekend’s first XI grand final between Strathdale-Maristians and Eaglehawk.
Walsh said a lot of work had gone into getting the BDCA’s showpiece match back at Bendigo’s number one ground.
“There were some concerns about the dryness of the wicket table a few weeks ago, but the wicket played well on the weekend (second XI semi-final between Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat).
“The main thing is the wicket has consistent pace and bounce.”
Walsh said City of Greater Bendigo grounds staff would pump more water on the wicket table over the next two days.
“I had a look at the wicket about 4pm on Sunday. There were some slight cracks in the pitch, but nothing too drastic.”
Walsh said a concern had been the pace of the outfield.
“The ground will be cut lower this week and I am expecting a faster outfield.”
He said criticism following Sandhurst’s first XI being dismissed for a low score in its latest match on the QEO was unfair.
“A lot of those wickets were through some poor batting, and some excellent bowling. It’s disappointing that sometimes people hear or look at a scoreboard and immediately think it was a poor wicket. Bowlers can dominate games at times.”
Grand final build-up and pressure is something Walsh knows a lot about.
He played in 13 grand final wins with Eaglehawk and Golden Square in the top grade.
Walsh is the BDCA’s joint record-holder on 24 centuries and last year was inducted into the Bendigo Advertiser-WIN Television Sports Star of the Year Hall of Fame. Sports Star is backed by bankmecu.