DDCC Round 3 Preview

Waratah v Southern Districts – Gardens Oval
This clash looms as the match of the round as Southern Districts aim to score their first win of the campaign coming off a bye while Waratah strives to make it back-to-back wins.
 
Both sides lost in their first two-day game of the season so a win for either side will be imperative to trying to push for top ladder positions.

With Palmerston now 10 points clear on top of the table after they claimed an outright victory last round, teams need to do more if they want to jump ahead.
 
The well-rested Crocs side coming off the bye will throw everything at this game to try and avoid an 0-2 start to the season.
 
Batting will be key after the Crocs were bowled out for 251 against PINT in the opening two-dayer of the season.  
 
No player exceeded the half-century mark that game with Dylan Mullen top-scoring with 46 opening the batting.
 
Mullen also took four wickets in that game, making him a key player in the Crocs side.
 
Meanwhile, the Warriors, who also struggled with the bat in the opening two-dayer (bowled out for 220), responded brilliantly last round scoring 3-312 in their run chase of PINT’s 10-144.
 
Some match-winning runs for Samuel Elliott (33) and Liam Blackford (30) will give them confidence and centuries to skipper Jagadesh Koduru (126*) and Max Parker (100*) is another boost.
 
The Warriors also improved their bowling after taking just one wicket in the opening two-dayer.
 
The Warriors bowled out the Greens for 144 last round with Noah McFadyen taking 8-50 in a huge turnaround.
 
Prediction: Warriors
 
Tracy Village v Palmerston – Tracy Village Oval
 
Palmerston poses to be a difficult opponent as the only undefeated side in the two-day season with a 2-0 record.
 
And with Tracy having just recorded a solitary win in the one and two-day seasons, the task seems even tougher for the Villagers in this game.
 
The Power have been in stellar form this season, winning six of their last seven matches across the one and two-day seasons.  
 
They recorded a shock outright victory over Nightcliff last round to hand them their first loss of the one and two-day seasons.
 
Leg spinner Rommel Shahzad was crucial with the ball in the memorable victory, taking six of the 20 wickets. Shahzad also claimed four wickets in the opening two-dayer, making him a real threat in the red ball format.
 
With the bat, New Zealand import Caleb Montague will be a player to watch alongside Alex Bleakley who fired a crucial half-century of 84 last round.
 
Tracy will be looking to score a win for the first time in the two-day campaign after kicking off their red-ball season with a heavy defeat to Darwin last round.
 
Bowling will be the key after Tracy allowed the Eagles to post a mammoth 4-325 with the bat.
 
Pace bowler Darcy Gregory-Francis looks to be the one to lead the way with the ball for the Villagers after some top performances across the season.
 
With the bat, Tracy will be confident Steven Roser can get them off to a solid start after he scored 80 opening the batting last game.
 
Skipper Jack Doyle also looks to be a key figure in the batting line up.
 
Prediction: Power
 
Nightcliff v PINT – Nightcliff Oval
 
There is no shortage of intrigue about this encounter.
 
Nightcliff is coming off a shock defeat where they were out righted in their first taste of defeat for the season.
 
A big response on their home turf is imminent but PINT also will be hungry too after suffering a heavy defeat last round following a strong first-up win to begin the season.
 
Batting will be of focus for the Tigers after they were rolled for 86 and 140 last game against Palmerston.
 
Without Connor Carroll, they will need some other players to step up in his absence.
 
After being promoted to opening, Paul Wasiewicz looks to be the one to fill the void as the South Australian import targets a big score.
 
The Tigers bowling remains in good hands with leg spinner Charlie Smith continuing his good form with another three wickets last game.

Meanwhile, it will be an all-round response needed from the Greens after they were beaten in all parts last game.
 
Batting probably edges out the bowling in terms of focus after the Greens were rolled for 144 last game.
 
The Greens did claim three wickets before the Waratahs passed their score in a small positive for them to take out of their last outing.
 
If the Greens can return to form from the opening two-dayer where they chased down Southern Districts' 251 with five wickets in hand, they will be a tough opposition for sure.
 
Prediction: Tigers
 
Darwin has the bye