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BENDIGO UNITED v STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS - 1pm at Harry Trott Oval.
Last time: Bendigo United 3-143 d Strathdale-Maristians 141 (semi-final).
Since 2000: Strathdale-Maristians 13; Bendigo United 9.
BENDIGO UNITED (3-0, 1st) - despite the interruption of player unavailabilities early in the season, the Redbacks are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder.
The Redbacks are the only undefeated team after three rounds, having defeated Bendigo, Strathfieldsaye and White Hills.
Heath Behrens - who is still chasing his first century against Strathdale - and Ben Gunn have both posted a pair of half-centuries in the opening three games and are in good touch with the bat.
After missing the past two games, coach Marcus Smalley returns to the side and will captain in the absence of Leigh McDermott.
• Runs - Heath Behrens (145), Ben Gunn (126), Leigh McDermott (116). Wickets - Nick Crawford (7), Paul Fraser (6).
STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS (1-2, 5th) - not often you see the Suns with more losses than wins on the board.
But that’s the case after three rounds with the Suns at 1-2 ahead of this crucial game against their arch-rivals.
There’s extra importance on early wins this season with the shortened season.
The Suns lost to Golden Square by two wickets last round, but in what should give the side a boost, they will unveil key recruit Sam Johnston for the first time.
• Runs - Cameron Taylor (145), Nick Baker (88), Andrew Hosking (85). Wickets - Nick Roebuck (8), Cameron Taylor (7).
BENDIGO v STRATHFIELDSAYE - 1pm at Provincial Home Loans Oval, North Bendigo.
Last time: Bendigo 5-215 d Strathfieldsaye 9-210.
Since 2000: Bendigo 6; Strathfieldsaye 6.
BENDIGO (1-2, 10th) - The Goers will get a glimpse into their future this game when the club fields one of the youngest sides in its history.
This game’s team of 11 includes seven teenagers, among them three debutants in James Ryan, Xavier Ryan and Kieren Burns.
With such a young side, the Goers will need captain Marcus McKern and Glenn Franzi to set the example.
• Runs - Nathan Fitzpatrick (141), Mitch Blackman (94), Glenn Franzi (91). Wickets - Michael Winzar, Nathan Fitzpatrick (5), Ryan Trickey (4).
STRATHFIELDSAYE (1-2, 7th) - the Jets proved last round they shouldn’t be under-estimated with a superb chase in their win over Eaglehawk.
Veteran Greg Lyon has turned back the clock and after three innings is averaging 182 in the top-order, while reigning BDCA Cricketer of the Year Ben Devanny has picked up from where he left off last season.
The Jets to make it two in a row.
• Runs - Greg Lyon (182), Ben Devanny (163), Nick Scullie (70). Wickets - Cory Devanny (7), Ben Devanny (6).
EAGLEHAWK v SANDHURST - 1pm at Canterbury Park.
Last time: Eaglehawk 6-281 d Sandhurst 188.
Since 2000: Eaglehawk 15; Sandhurst 3.
EAGLEHAWK (1-2, 8th) - the Hawks flew out of the blocks in round one with a nine-wicket belting of White Hills.
But the past two games have yielded back-to-back losses - one a hiding from Strathdale-Maristians, the other a game they were expected to win against Strathfieldsaye.
All-rounder Cory Jacobs has ended his short-lived retirement and is back in the ones in what’s a key inclusion.
• Runs - Jason Abbott (190), Matt Fitt (135), Aaron Monro (46). Wickets - Brodie Hawke, Shaun Knott (4), Sam Fitt (3).
SANDHURST (2-1, 4th) - the Dragons suffered their first loss of the season last round when beaten by Huntly-North Epsom by three wickets.
Shane Robinson has led the way with the bat for the Dragons, having been their leading scorer in their past two games and so far, is the only Sandhurst player to have posted a score above 50.
• Runs - Shane Robinson (111), Craig Howard (102), Joel Schneider (77). Wickets - Liam Bowe (7), Craig Howard (6), Eli Bowe (5).
HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM v GOLDEN SQUARE - 1pm at Poyser Motors Oval, Huntly.
Last time: Golden Square 8-283 d Huntly-North Epsom 179.
Since 2000: Golden Square 12; Huntly-North 2.
HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM (2-1, 2nd) - the Power have been a surprise packet and if it wasn’t for blowing a strong position against Kangaroo Flat, they would be 3-0.
Their credentials will be put to the test at home against Golden Square.
Dylan Gibson steps up to captain, while the Power will be looking for more batsmen to capitalise on starts, with just two scores above 40 so far - both by recruit Adam Ward.
• Runs - Adam Ward (136), Harry Whittle (72), Dylan Gibson (61). Wickets - Adam Ward (8), Tom Wilson, Brett Elvey (4).
GOLDEN SQUARE (2-1, 3rd) - Square will be buoyed by its win over Strathdale-Maristians last round.
Golden Square would have been rapt with the contribution from teenager Scott Woodman, who impacted the game with both bat and ball, while Liam Smith’s left-arm spin is proving tough to score off - he has season figures of 3-66 off 33 overs.
• Runs - Scott Johnson (156), Jason Johnson (111), Liam Smith (83). Wickets - Jamie Bysouth (5), Connor Miller (4), Scott Woodman (4).
KANGAROO FLAT v WHITE HILLS - 3.30pm at QEO.
Last time: White Hills 79 & 8-180 d Kangaroo Flat 72 & 4-71.
Since 2000: Kangaroo Flat 12; White Hills 3.
KANGAROO FLAT (1-2, 6th) - suffered a 47-run loss to Bendigo last round to be among the group of teams with a 1-2 record.
Next assignment is the day-night “pink ball” match against White Hills at the QEO.
It will be intriguing to see what key pacemen Adam Burns and Brent Hamblin can get out of the pink ball.
Apparently, they go soft early and offer no swing or seam.
• Runs - Adam Burns (124), Brent Hamblin (67), Josh Newlan (55). Wickets - Brent Hamblin (10), Adam Burns (7), Daniel Barber (5).
WHITE HILLS (1-2, 9th) - like their opponents, the Demons are 1-2.
Almost pulled off an unlikely win against Bendigo United last round before eventually falling 12 runs short.
The Demons would dearly love to get Ryan Grundy up and firing after his lean start. He’s a much better player than his eight runs in three innings.
• Runs - Brayden Stepien (229), Mitchell Winter-Irving (158), Gavin Bowles (111). Wickets - Mitchell Winter-Irving (8), Sam Farmer (7), Travis Colley (2).
