SQUADS have been announced for tomorrow’s DFDS Premier T20 Finals Day.
The National Cricket Centre at Grainville will play host to the standout day of the domestic club cricket calendar – where Rathbones Old Victorians, Farmers Caesareans and RGA Walkovers will tussle for the title.
Following six rounds of T20 league fixtures, Rathbones Old Victorians finished top with five wins – qualifying them automatically into the final at 3pm.
The morning fixture, set for an 11am start, will see the league’s 2nd and 3rd place finishers compete in a Semi-Final “eliminator” style match, with the winner moving into the afternoon’s final.
Defending champions Farmers Caesareans finished in second spot with four wins, while third place went to RGA Walkovers, who recorded two wins to seal their first Finals Day appearance since 2017.
Farmers welcome back Stan Norman to bolster their ranks with both bat and ball, while Joel Dudley’s return also adds batting strength.
A bowling attack featuring Norman, Jersey captain Chuggy Perchard, George Richardson, Scott Van Breda and Adam Bradbury features pace, bounce and variety, while their spin options of skipper Rhys Palmer’s off-spin, James Bradbury’s funky left-arm orthodox and Ollie Ramage’s leg-spin make them a well-rounded unit.
Opponents Walkovers are a changed outfit this year – although without the competition’s leading run-scorer Drew Sylvester.
However, the likes of Will Taylor, new to the side this year, has proved a valuable signing with both bat and ball.
He will feature in a promising batting line up which also sees power hitting potential from skipper Dan Birrell, Tiaan Kruger and Jacques Van Der Walt.
In the bowling department, Birrell and Taylor’s new ball partnership has proved effective, with the likes of Ross Chadwick and Kruger offering further seam options and Theo Bell, Ben Beeley and Robin Carnegie ready and available in the spin bowling department.
After beating Farmers on their home patch last weekend to seal their qualification, confidence will be high in the Walkovers ranks.
Waiting for them in the final is an Old Victorians side who gave looked menacing throughout the league phase.
After being bested by Farmers last year after a Nick Greenwood batting masterclass, skipper James Duckett and his men look hungry to get their name on the trophy this time.
In the absence of Jamie Watling or Jonny Heward, Corey Bisson is scheduled to make a rare appearance behind the stumps.
Undoubtedly his impact will be felt more with the bat however, as part of a hard-hitting line up – the likes of Bisson, Ed Giles and Charlie Brennan are responsible for some of the biggest sixes hit in the domestic game over the last decade.
Also named in their squad are the legendary brothers Sam and Andy Dewhurst. The OV veterans returned last weekend and showed promising form and their calm, experienced heads on a big day could prove crucial.
One cannot forget the captain himself, back-to-back cricketer of the year James Duckett (left), who led his side to both Premier and CI League titles undefeated last year.
Alongside brother Rob Duckett and Scott Simpson, seasoned veterans by this stage, they will prove a tough side to beat.
Simpson, Rob Duckett, Matt Webb, Giles and Theo Pullman make up a strong seam bowling attack, with the Dewhurst brothers as well as the captain offering good spin options.
Both matches will be live-streamed and the link can be accessed through the Jersey Cricket social media channels.
Rathbones Old Victorians: James Duckett (c), Corey Bisson (wk), Scott Simpson, Theo Pullman, Charlie Brennan, Rob Duckett, Ed Giles, Sam Dewhurst, Andy Dewhurst, Matt Webb, Freddie Harben
Farmers Caesareans: Rhys Palmer (c), Jack Kemp (wk), Stan Norman, Chuggy Perchard, Armand Fourie, Ollie Ramage, Scott Van Breda, George Richardson, James Bradbury, Joel Dudley, Adam Bradbury
RGA Walkovers: Dan Birrell (c), Elliot Corbel (wk), Ben Beeley, Theo Bell, Robin Carnegie, Ross Chadwick, Jack Gott, Tiaan Kruger, Will Taylor, Jacques Van Der Walt, Theo Vautier
