Bentleigh Uniting to take on Wendouree in Statewide T20 Cup final

IN a rematch of the 2012 final at the MCG, Bentleigh Uniting and Wendouree cricket clubs will play off for Victoria’s Statewide Twenty20 Cup.

Photo: Hamish Blair Glen Lalor of Bentleigh Uniting batting during the SECA grand final between Bentleigh Uniting and East Sandringham played at Hurlingham Park No 1 Ground on Saturday, March 22, 2014 in St Kilda, Australia.

IN a rematch of the 2012 final at the MCG, Bentleigh Uniting and Wendouree cricket clubs will play off for Victoria’s Statewide Twenty20 Cup at Eastern Oval in Ballarat on Sunday.

South East Cricket Association affiliate Uniting was crowned metropolitan champion after defeating Altona North by 11 runs.

It had earlier seen off Bentleigh, Cranbourne (in a bowl-off) and Ashburton Willows.

Bentleigh Uniting sees itself as a pauper up against a power since it plays on a synthetic wicket at Centenary Park in Brady Rd, East Bentleigh.

“All the other teams are turf clubs from highly ranked competitions, some with overseas players,’’ Uniting president John Halliday said.

“All games have been at away venues as we are not allowed to play on our synthetic wicket and many of our players had not played on turf before and not all own cricket spikes.’’

He said a bus packed with “proud and loud’’ supporters was making the trip to Ballarat.

Wendouree defeated Uniting in the 2012 final and has won the title twice.

“We have a different side from three years ago so while some might say that we have the wood on them, I don’t think that’s true,” Wendouree president Ivan Pyke told the Cricket Victoria website.

“The key is for us to play to our strengths, we bat deep and have been improving every game.

“The continuity of our side has been important for us.”

Halliday said Uniting batted “deep’’ and had a lot of bowling options.

Former St Kilda star Glenn Lalor will lead the Bentleigh club.

The Cricket Victoria Statewide Twenty20 Cup Final will be played on Sunday at the Eastern Oval from 1pm.

The teams

Bentleigh Uniting

Michael De Iacovo

Tim Brisbane

Thomas Backman

Glenn Lalor

Luke Manders

Trent Cody

Luke Cody

Simon Richards

Brett Turner

Damian Britt

Liam Hard

Michael Hargood

Simon Surridge

Oliver Oostermeyer

Wendouree

Jack Peeters

Sam Peeters

Andrew Pitson

Cole Roscholler

Matt Smith

Brandon Weatherson

Scott Carey

Heath Pyke

Eamon Johnson

Jordan Oliver