Another year draws to a close and we finally get towards the end of another big season in the Bigfooty Fantasy Cricket League. This year ends just like last years, with a battle between Victoria and the Warriors this time though its at the Junction Oval. Its a chance for players to leave their mark, its all about performing when it counts, when the pressure is on and with all the finals experience in both sides this should be a cracker.
Both sides have won just 1 test championship in their history, however with 3 OD titles, the Warriors lay claim to being the most succesful side in BFFCL history, the Victorians sit equal 2nd, just 1 title behind and can join the Warriors with victory here. The Warriors come into the game the reigning premiers having beaten Victoria last year, Victoria havent tasted the ultimate success since 2008 but they enter this game the minor premiers having so far improved on last years efforts, this is the final hurdle to overcome
Victoria have been the most consistent side for the entire season in a year where form has fluctuated for all including the Victorians they always managed to stay just ahead of the competition. Unlike last year where the batsmen struggled a bit, this year Zeke has stood up and been absolutely dominant with him finishing as the leading run scorer in the competition and 1 of only 2 to pass 1000 runs in the home and away season whilst amassing an amazing 6 centuries. He has been backed up well with the whole batting lineup averaging over 40 including an impressive 59.3 from wicket keeper Magpie Matty. With just 2 bowlers averaging under 30 it has been the batsmen that have carried the team but the bowling attack is not to be taken lightly with some very big names in there who all can turn it on at any stage, but it was the consistency of them all that helped win the 2nd semi final
For the Warriors it has been a pretty strong season spending it all in the top 4, although they seemed to struggle to back up with losses often following wins. For the Warriors no one has stood up as much as the captain has with Ljp86 dominating with the ball averaging 25 for the season and just 2 wickets off the leading wicket taker for the year and his dominant performances were at their best in the prelim when 10 wickets earnt him a well deserved MOM award and got his side here for another crack. The batting has failed to fire as strongly in previous years with just 1 player, Emerald doing well with another strong season averaging well over 50 but the lack of centuries across the board would be a concern. They will be relying on a strong team effort to drag them across the line and try and draw on the form that won them the premiership last season.
In their previous meeting at this venue the Victorians asked for a minefield but sat back and watched the Warriors choose to bat first and rack up close to 500, but when it came time to bat the Victorian batsmen just couldnt get going and ended up getting smashed by an innings by the Warriors. When the game moved to Perth in the final round it was again the Warriors winning the toss but made the fatal decision to insert the Victorians and they racked up over 400. This time it was the Warriors who collapsed in a heap under the pressure but after following on were able to put some runs together and atleast force Victoria to bat again but it was still a 9 wicket loss.
The game is played in Melbourne so of course its set to be a glorious week weather wise, unless the game drags into the weekend when there is a chance of widespread flooding so better get the game going
Both sides have won just 1 test championship in their history, however with 3 OD titles, the Warriors lay claim to being the most succesful side in BFFCL history, the Victorians sit equal 2nd, just 1 title behind and can join the Warriors with victory here. The Warriors come into the game the reigning premiers having beaten Victoria last year, Victoria havent tasted the ultimate success since 2008 but they enter this game the minor premiers having so far improved on last years efforts, this is the final hurdle to overcome
Victoria have been the most consistent side for the entire season in a year where form has fluctuated for all including the Victorians they always managed to stay just ahead of the competition. Unlike last year where the batsmen struggled a bit, this year Zeke has stood up and been absolutely dominant with him finishing as the leading run scorer in the competition and 1 of only 2 to pass 1000 runs in the home and away season whilst amassing an amazing 6 centuries. He has been backed up well with the whole batting lineup averaging over 40 including an impressive 59.3 from wicket keeper Magpie Matty. With just 2 bowlers averaging under 30 it has been the batsmen that have carried the team but the bowling attack is not to be taken lightly with some very big names in there who all can turn it on at any stage, but it was the consistency of them all that helped win the 2nd semi final
For the Warriors it has been a pretty strong season spending it all in the top 4, although they seemed to struggle to back up with losses often following wins. For the Warriors no one has stood up as much as the captain has with Ljp86 dominating with the ball averaging 25 for the season and just 2 wickets off the leading wicket taker for the year and his dominant performances were at their best in the prelim when 10 wickets earnt him a well deserved MOM award and got his side here for another crack. The batting has failed to fire as strongly in previous years with just 1 player, Emerald doing well with another strong season averaging well over 50 but the lack of centuries across the board would be a concern. They will be relying on a strong team effort to drag them across the line and try and draw on the form that won them the premiership last season.
In their previous meeting at this venue the Victorians asked for a minefield but sat back and watched the Warriors choose to bat first and rack up close to 500, but when it came time to bat the Victorian batsmen just couldnt get going and ended up getting smashed by an innings by the Warriors. When the game moved to Perth in the final round it was again the Warriors winning the toss but made the fatal decision to insert the Victorians and they racked up over 400. This time it was the Warriors who collapsed in a heap under the pressure but after following on were able to put some runs together and atleast force Victoria to bat again but it was still a 9 wicket loss.
The game is played in Melbourne so of course its set to be a glorious week weather wise, unless the game drags into the weekend when there is a chance of widespread flooding so better get the game going
Victoria to name the pitch and their team by 22:00 Wednesday
Warriors to name their team by 22:00 Thursday
Warriors to name their team by 22:00 Thursday
