1 – BENDIGO UNITED
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Record: 4-2-1
Sit at the top of what’s one of the most even mid-season ladders of modern times in the BDCA, with five teams all locked on 27 points.
Three of the Redbacks’ wins have come against the bottom three teams in Bendigo, White Hills and Strathfieldsaye and a challenging last six games awaits.
There’s a familiar name at the top of the BDCA runs list with stalwart Heath Behrens having made 330 – including two tons – while the day Ben Gunn (180) and Clayton Holmes (108) get off the leash together at the top of the order, any score is possible.
The Redbacks have only been bowled out once so far and in three of their six innings have made at least 250.
Leading runs: Heath Behrens (330).
Leading wickets: Leigh McDermott (12).
MVP leader: Leigh McDermott (350).
Batting rank: 1st.
Bowling rank: 3rd.
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2 – KANGAROO FLAT
Record: 4-2-1
The Roos haven’t played finals since 2007-08, but the platform is there for a launch back into March action.
Won their first three games, then dropped two in a row, before a steadying victory against Huntly-North Epsom in round seven.
Adam Burns (198 runs, 14 wickets) just keeps on keeping on, while Dylan Gibson (300 runs, 8 wickets) is playing confident cricket and has also been a key contributor for the Roos.
Leading runs: Dylan Gibson (300).
Leading wickets: Adam Burns (14).
MVP leader: Adam Burns (508).
Batting rank: 3rd.
Bowling rank: 1st.
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3 – SANDHURST
Record: 4-2-1
Were the only undefeated team after five rounds, but the Dragons have fallen back to the pack in the past two rounds with back-to-back losses to Golden Square and Huntly-North Epsom.
The mid-season break came at a good time to allow the Dragons – who have only conceded one score above 150 – to re-set as they pursue just their second finals berth since 1987.
Have plenty of match-winners in captain Craig Howard, Taylor Beard, Sam Sperling and Zen Malik and with wins already over the likes of Strathdale, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat, their best is as good as any.
Leading runs: Zen Mailk (150).
Leading wickets: Craig Howard (17).
MVP leader: Craig Howard (509).
Batting rank: 9th.
Bowling rank: 5th.
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4 – EAGLEHAWK
Record: 4-2-1
The Hawks’ season was well and truly on the ropes with just one win from their first three games and then being bowled out for 116 by Bendigo.
But thanks to Andrew Smith’s eight wickets, the Hawks knocked the Goers over for 110 and with follow up wins over Kangaroo Flat and White Hills, they are in the top four and looking dangerous.
The Hawks’ big Achilles Heel in recent years has been their at-times brittle batting, and there has again been signs of it this season, but they have rectified it the past two games, which makes them a very challenging proposition if they can maintain it.
Leading runs: Andrew Smith (197).
Leading wickets: Andrew Smith (13).
MVP leader: Andrew Smith (467).
Batting rank: 8th.
Bowling rank: 4th.
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5 – GOLDEN SQUARE
Record: 4-2-1
I’ll put my hand up and admit I got Square all wrong after tipping them to finish ninth pre-season.
Yet they are only percentage away from top spot and have beaten two of the top three sides in Bendigo United and Sandhurst.
The star performer for Square has been all-rounder Scott Trollope, who sits atop the Addy’s BDCA MVP rankings with 542 points, while skipper Tim Wood (210 runs) has been in solid touch.
Four of their last six games are against sides above them.
Leading runs: Tim Wood (210).
Leading wickets: Scott Trollope (14).
MVP leader: Scott Trollope (542).
Batting rank: 2nd.
Bowling rank: 8th.
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6 – STRATHDALE
Record: 3-3-1
No wins from their first three games raised the question of is the Suns’ dynasty finally coming to an end?
The Suns were battling with the bat and plagued by collapses in losses to Eaglehawk, Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat when their highest score was just 157.
But never write off a champion team – and the Suns are a champion team.
They are now back in business with three wins in a row, including a last-start victory over Bendigo United and five of their last six games to come against sides in the bottom three.
Leading runs: Ben DeAraugo (180).
Leading wickets: Jacob DeAraugo, Cameron Taylor, Sam Johnston (10).
MVP leader: Cameron Taylor (290).
Batting rank: 5th.
Bowling rank: 2nd.
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7 – HUNTLY-NORTH
Record: 2-4-1
Whatever happens from here, the Power have at least already improved on last season when they won just one game.
They have notched two victories so far and are a much more resilient outfit with the bat, although, they were bowled out for just 83 by Kangaroo Flat last game.
One of the strengths of the Power has been their ability to build pressure with the ball, with the trio of Brett Elvey (1.76), Cameron Moore (2.15) and Peter Moore (2.44) all keeping their economy rates tight.
Leading runs: Elliott Massina (201).
Leading wickets: Brett Elvey (14).
MVP leader: Brett Elvey (372).
Batting rank: 7th.
Bowling rank: 7th.
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8 – BENDIGO
Record: 2-4-1
Season started well with wins over Huntly-North Epsom and Golden Square, but has gone backwards since with four losses in a row.
New captain Shane Koop (235 runs) has shown his team-mates how to value his wicket and with 19 scalps Nathan Fitzpatrick is the competition’s leading wicket-taker, but as for playing finals, it looks like it will be another miss.
Leading runs: Shane Koop (235).
Leading wickets: Nathan Fitzpatrick (19).
MVP leader: Nathan Fitzpatrick (516).
Batting rank: 4th.
Bowling rank: 6th.
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9 – WHITE HILLS
Record: 2-4-1
Broke a 17-year finals drought last season, but on their form so far the Demons won’t be back for a second dose this year.
Prone to batting collapses and still too reliant with the bat on Gavin Bowles (277 runs) and skipper Mitch Winter-Irving (253) – sounds like a broken record.
Leading runs: Gavin Bowles (277).
Leading wickets: Mitch Winter-Irving (13).
MVP leader: Mitch Winter-Irving (533).
Batting rank: 6th.
Bowling rank: 9th.
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10 – STRATHFIELDSAYE
Record: 1-5-1
Been a struggle with both bat and ball for the Jets, who only two seasons after having a flag snatched from their grasp are in danger of claiming a wooden spoon.
The only team not to have had a player make at least 150 runs or take 10 wickets.
Leading runs: Greg Lyon (148).
Leading wickets: Beauden Rinaldi (9).
MVP leader: Ben Devanny (255).
Batting rank: 10th.
Bowling rank: 10th.