STRATHFIELDSAYE (8^th, 1-1) – the Jets are coming off a tough day with the ball last week when they were belted for 3-300 by White Hills in defence of their 9-279.

Captain Ben Devanny has made a top start to the season with a an unbeaten 116 and 47 in the first two games, but no other Jets player has got past 30.

Yet the Jets are getting plenty of starts though. Of the 20 innings by Strathfieldsaye players so far, 11 have got to at least 15, but only Devanny has capitalised.

That isn’t going to cut it this weekend against the Suns.

STRATHDALE (7^th, 1-1) – the Suns proved the quality side they are by bouncing back from a round one loss to defeat Golden Square last weekend.

The win featured the trademark Suns’ batting depth as they turned a precarious 4-52 into 317, headlined by captain Ben DeAraugo’s 130.

Ex-Bendigo player Mitch Blackman and Darius Modoo-Loy from Mildura are two recruits who have been picked to make their first XI debuts for the Suns.

Last time: Strathdale 261 d Strathfieldsaye 183.

Since 2000: Strathdale 16; Strathfieldsaye 8.

Selection: Strathdale.

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HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM (5^th, 1-1) – a home game for the Power at the QEO as part of the BDCA’s new initiative to return regular cricket to Bendigo’s showpiece venue.

Still no gun recruit Russell De Groot named for the Power, who are coming off a win over reigning premier Eaglehawk last week.

They now come up against another of last season’s grand finalists in Bendigo United and perhaps for the first time since the merger of the North Bendigo senior and Huntly junior clubs in 2001-02, the Power will go into a game against the Redbacks as favourites.

RELATED – ROUND 2 SCOREBOARDS

BENDIGO UNITED (10^th, 1-1) – the BDCA has long been accustomed to the Redbacks sitting at the pointy end of the ladder, not at the bottom.

But that’s where the Redbacks find themselves after opening their 2017-18 season with a pair of defeats to Strathfieldsaye and Bendigo.

Such has been the turnover at the Redbacks, last round’s team featured just four players from last season’s grand final – captain Leigh McDermott, Miggy Podsoky, Mark Di Fede and Chris Howgate.

This weekend, though, the Redbacks welcome back a trio of 2016-17 grand final players in Harry Donegan, Jake Thrum and the explosive Clayton Holmes, which will stiffen up the batting.

Last time: Bendigo United 8-252 d Huntly-North Epsom 9-185.

Since 2000: Bendigo United 18; Huntly-North Epsom 3.

Selection: Huntly-North Epsom.

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BENDIGO (1^st, 2-0) – the Goers are occupying top spot for the first time since round 10 of 2010-11 – the last season they made the finals.

No surprise they are on top given they have won not only their first two games, but the Addy has the Goers ranked No.1 for both batting and bowling.

One of the key talking points of the BDCA early in the season has been the swashbuckling start with the bat by new Goers’ recruit Kyle Humphrys.

With scores of 115 n.o. and 136 – a total of 251 off 228 balls – Humphrys has scored 57.2 per cent of the Goers’ 439 runs so far.

RELATED – BDCA MVP TOP 50 RANKINGS

KANGAROO FLAT (4^th, 1-1) – coming off a score of 288 against Sandhurst last week – a total that would win most games – but had to be content with a 72-run defeat to the Dragons.

However, given the big question mark over the Roos will be the capacity for their batsmen to stand up, there were certainly plenty of positives for the side to take out of its clash against the Dragons.

Now they turn their attention to taking on the undefeated Goers, and no doubt keen to ensure they don’t leave it up to Chris Barber and Dylan Klemm to have to dig them out of a massive hole with the bat like they did last season against Bendigo at Atkins Street.

Last time: Kangaroo Flat 167 d Bendigo 140 & 0-6.

Since 2000: Kangaroo Flat 17; Bendigo 6.

Selection: Kangaroo Flat.

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EAGLEHAWK (9^th, 0-2) – the reigning premiers have dug themselves an early hole at 0-2, with both losses against sides that missed the finals last season – Sandhurst and Huntly-North Epsom.

Cory Jacobs (calf) will miss another game, again handing the captaincy duties to Jeremy Brown.

RELATED – WEEKEND CRICKET TEAMS

GOLDEN SQUARE (6^th, 1-1) – on the rebound from a 93-run loss to Strathdale-Maristians last week.

A big inclusion with the return of skipper Ben Gunn, while left-arm spinner Liam Smith will be aiming to pick up from where he left off last week when he bagged seven wickets against the Suns.

Last time: Eaglehawk 8-209 d Golden Square 131.

Since 2000: Eaglehawk 17; Golden Square 10.

Selection: Golden Square.

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SANDHURST (2^nd, 2-0) – a sign of how well the Dragons are tracking is that a club record 234 in the second XI last round wasn’t enough for Tyler Hinds to push his way into the firsts.

The Dragons are 2-0 and shaping as one of the early-season flag fancies, but they have made a habit in recent years of starting well before dropping off.

Recruit Nayana Palamandadige has adjusted well to the BDCA with scores of 57 and 85 opening the batting, while the Dragons have also had young gun Todd Murphy (86) and another recruit in Ash Gray (52 n.o.) also make half-centuries in the first two rounds.

RELATED – PINK BALLS GET GREEN LIGHT IN BDCA

WHITE HILLS (3^rd, 1-1) – showed plenty with the bat last week in amassing 3-300 against Strathfieldsaye, spearheaded by an unbeaten 165 from Gavin Bowles.

Had the Demons not won last week they would have been kicking themselves given they conceded 43 extras to the Jets, and in total 12.9 per cent of runs (424) the Demons have given up so far this season have come through extras (55).

That’s more than double the BDCA average of 6.0 per cent through the first two rounds.

Last time: White Hills 149 d Sandhurst 132.

Since 2000: White Hills 12; Sandhurst 7.

Selection: Sandhurst.

• Meanwhile, “Kookaburra” pink balls will be used in BDCA matches this weekend in support of the McGrath Foundation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.