Round three of the Bendigo District Cricket Association is highlighted by a rare day/night fixture.
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Eaglehawk hosts Bendigo United in a clash of two unbeaten teams at Canterbury Park from 4pm.
The other feature match is at Bell Oval, where the reigning premier Suns take on a Strathfieldsaye side desperate to prove itself as a genuine finals contender.
EAGLEHAWK v BENDIGO UNITED
Canterbury Park, 4pm
This time last year you would have received long odds that the Hawks and Redbacks would be playing in the match of the round within 12 months.
Youth has played a major role in the turnaround of both clubs and the Redbacks will blood another talented junior on Saturday when leg-spinner Henry Edwards makes his first XI debut.
Edwards replaces another teenager Xavier Austin (unavailable), who has been brilliant with the ball in the Redbacks' opening two wins.
The Borough's batting and bowling stocks have been hit by the unavailability of all-rounder Russell Stockdale.
The added wrinkle to the clash of two unbeaten teams is the fact it's a day/night game.
Batting second - starting at dusk and finishing under lights - could play a factor in the game. Let's hope not.
Last time: Eaglehawk 8-99 d Bendigo United 98.
Selection: Eaglehawk.
Player of the match tip: Angus Chisholm (Eaglehawk).
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STRATHDALE-MARISTIANS v STRATHFIELDSAYE
Bell Oval, 12.30pm
Could Saturday be the day that Strathdale's two-year unbeaten run dating back to round five of the 2019-20 season comes to an end?
Probably not, but Strathfieldsaye has largely performed as well as any team against Strathdale during that run.
In their two encounters last year there were only eight runs and 30 runs between the two teams.
The Jets have high expectations this summer and they were disappointed with their performance against Bendigo United last week.
No better test than the Suns at Bell Oval and the home side regains refreshed star batsman Jack Neylon.
Last time: Strathdale-Maristians 5-201 d Strathfieldsaye 171.
Selection: Strathdale-Maristians.
Player of the match tip: Cam Taylor (Strathdale-Maristians).
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WHITE HILLS v HUNTLY-NORTH EPSOM
Scott Street, 12.30pm
The Demons and Power go into round three without a win and with pressure mounting.
Both teams face similar problems this season - quality top-end talent, but a lack of depth.
After a woeful round one performance, the Demons were competitive against the Suns last week, but they desperately need to find form with the ball.
A change of luck here and there and the Power could be 2-0 rather than 0-2.
The Power, who haven't lost to White Hills in five years, will debut talented youngster Kyen Burrill-Grinton.
Last time: Huntly-North Epsom 6-230 d White Hills 196.
Selection: Huntly-North Epsom.
Player of the match tip: Ryan Grundy (HNE)
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SANDHURST v BENDIGO
Weeroona Oval, 12.30pm
The Dragons and Goers will be full of confidence after they opened their accounts for 2021-22 last week.
Importantly, for both teams, it wasn't just their high-profile players who played major roles in the wins.
The consistency of those second-tier players will determine how far both clubs can go this summer.
Sandhurst regains key all-rounder Anthony McMahon, who made a century in the second XI last week.
Last time: Sandhurst 9-179 d Bendigo 9-146.
Selection: Sandhurst.
Player of the match tip: Joel Murphy (Sandhurst).
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GOLDEN SQUARE v KANGAROO FLAT
Wade Street, 12.30pm
Too early in the season to be hitting the panic button, but if last season's runner-up Kangaroo Flat drops another game to fall to 0-3 then the Roos will be in a position where they could have to go 10-5 for the remainder of the summer just to make the finals.
It's not as though the Roos have been really poor in the first two games - they've just been slightly off the high standard they set last summer, particularly with the ball.
Golden Square squandered an opportunity to go 2-0 last week and will be no pushover, particularly if the Dogs' top-order can see off the Roos' new-ball attack.
Last time: Kangaroo Flat 2-83 d Golden Square 81.
Selection: Kangaroo Flat.
Player of the match tip: Adam Burns (Kangaroo Flat).
Read more: BDCA Team of the Week
Read more: BDCA, EVCA teams - round two
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