BDCA - round six preview, how they match-up, season's top performers

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Strathfieldsaye (2-2-1) - the Jets will be kicking themselves for the one that got away against Eaglehawk last week when they had 71 runs to play with and just two wickets to get, but were unable to finish the job.

Ranked 10^th with the bat and have only captain Ben Devanny (62 last round) with a score above 50 so far.

Left-arm spinner Savith Priyan continues to prove tough to get away, conceding just 166 runs from 96 overs while taking 16 wickets.

Sandhurst (1-3-1) - expected pre-season the Dragons to have the makings of a finals side, but they find themselves behind the eight ball early with only one win from five games.

Some luck at the toss would be handy given the Dragons have had to chase in four of their games so far, including scores of 250-plus the past two rounds.

Opener Joel Murphy is in good nick with scores of 86 and 77 in his past two hits, while youngster Jasper Langley is in for his first XI debut.

Last time - Sandhurst 9-293 def Strathfieldsaye 168.

Since 2000 - Strathfieldsaye 14; Sandhurst 12.

Bendigo (3-1-1) - promising start for the Goers, banking early wins to be sitting second on the ladder.

Beaten Sandhurst (71 runs) and Eaglehawk (86 runs) in their past two games having won the toss, batted first and posted scores of 253 and 260.

All-rounders Alex Pearson and Kyle Humphrys are at No.3 and 4 in the Addy's MVP rankings and have combined to take 16 of the Goers' 20 wickets over the past two rounds. However, Pearson is out this game.

Ramdas Kamath is proving a valuable acquisition having notched two half-centuries among his three hits so far.

White Hills (2-2-1) - sitting at the top of the Addy's batting rankings having made scores of 1-286, 285 and 291 in their past three innings and have both Rhys Irwin (119 n.o.) and Gavin Bowles (100 n.o.) coming off centuries last week.

But the Demons are currently last in the bowling rankings, albeit having won their past two games against Bendigo United and Sandhurst.

Captain Mitch Winter-Irving could be licking his lips at the prospect of playing at Atkins Street again. Twice in his Demons' career he has made a century and taken five wickets in a game against the Goers at the ground.

Last time - White Hills 7-251 def Bendigo 129.

Since 2000 - Bendigo 15; White Hills 13; Tied 1.

Eaglehawk (2-2-1) - gritty win against Strathfieldsaye last round thanks to the batting heroics of tail-enders Josh Williams (65 no.) and Nick Farley (46 n.o.), who dug the Hawks from 8-143 to chase down the Jets' 214.

Will need more out of their top and middle-order though against the Power attack to ensure they aren't relying on their tail again to get them out of trouble.

Recruit Tom Saker is back in the side to add to the bowling stocks.

Huntly-North Epsom (3-1-1) - no premiership hangover for the Power; they have started their flag defence solidly to be among the group of three teams with three wins.

Similar story to last season in that it's the bowling that is proving the lynchpin for the Power, with the addition of Lewis Stabler (14 wickets) already proving crucial.

Danushka Wijemanna heads into round six on the back of knocks of 72 and 87 in his past two hits. He has passed 50 in eight of his 21 innings since joining the Power last season, but still chasing that elusive first ton.

Last time - Huntly-North Epsom 203 def Eaglehawk 109 (semi-final).

Since 2000 - Eaglehawk 19; Huntly-North 4; Tied 1.

Kangaroo Flat (1-3-1) - plenty of expectation pre-season that the Roos would be the big improvers given they had bulked up their batting stocks.

But five rounds in the Roos have been disappointing, with their sole win coming against White Hills in round two.

English keeper-batsman Ben Birkhead (203 runs) has top-scored for the Roos in four of their five games so far, while just ask Chris Barber how fickle the game of cricket can be. He made a blistering 109 against White Hills in round two, but scores of just 0, 7 and 2 since. That's cricket.

Golden Square (2-2-1) - looked like being a long year ahead for Square following losses to Strathfieldsaye and Bendigo in the opening two rounds.

However, they have hit back strongly since with wins over Bendigo United and top side Strathdale in their past two games.

Were able to claim the big scalp of the Suns last round without their best all-rounder in Scott Trollope and with him back in the side should head to Dower Park with plenty of confidence of making it three wins in a row.

Last time - Golden Square 9-208 def Kangaroo Flat 197.

Since 2000 - Golden Square 15; Kangaroo Flat 10; Tied 1.

Strathdale (3-1-1) - expect a strong response from the Suns to their first loss of the season last week when comprehensively outplayed with bat and ball by Golden Square.

Big inclusion in the return of Sam Johnston, who is averaging 47 with the bat and has taken 10 wickets.

Bendigo United (1-3-1) - how will the Redbacks' attack bounce back from the shellacking they took from White Hills last week?

Having been hit for 1-286 by the Demons in 70 overs the Redbacks, with no Miggy Podosky, now confront the deepest batting line-up in the competition.

Last time - Strathdale 305 def Bendigo United 269.

Since 2000 - Strathdale 18; Bendigo United 10.

BATTING:

1 - White Hills

2 - Strathdale-Maristians

3 - Bendigo

4 - Golden Square

5 - Kangaroo Flat

6 - Eaglehawk

7 - Bendigo United

8 - Sandhurst

9 - Huntly-North Epsom

10 - Strathfieldsaye

Rankings based on runs per wicket, run-rate and balls faced per wicket.

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BOWLING:

1 - Huntly-North Epsom

2 - Golden Square

3 - Strathfieldsaye

4 - Strathdale-Maristians

5 - Bendigo

6 - Eaglehawk

7 - Sandhurst

8 - Kangaroo Flat

9 - Bendigo United

10 - White Hills

Rankings based on runs per wicket taken, strike rate, economy rate and maiden percentage.

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