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SPCL 1 - A return to the 50-over format for top league clubs
Mike Vimpany - 8 August 2002
BAT Sports bid to land back-to-back ECB Southern Electric Premier League championships goes into the home straight tomorrow with a return to 50-over format afternoon matches.
With four games remaining, BAT enjoy a 15 point advantage over Havant at the top - a lead they plan to extend against South Wilts at Southern Gardens, 1pm.
Earlier in the season BAT, who have no equals in the all-day `time' cricket arena, were not so effective at limited-overs cricket, losing two of their initial six 50-over games.
But with 42-wicket Dan Goldstraw in the best bowling form of his life, BAT are confident they will re-enter the limited-overs frame on a winning note.
They name an unchanged side against the newly crowned Southern Electric Contracting Cup holders, who expect to be at full strength.
It's another huge weekend for second-placed Havant, who entertain Liphook & Ripsley tomorrow and then replay their controversial ECB Club Championship quarter-final tie with Stanmore on Sunday, 1pm.
The already replayed national cup game was washed out just after tea last Sunday and, following numerous e-mails and heated telephone calls to Lord's during the past week, has been rearranged to take place this weekend.
It will be the third time the clubs have met in three weeks - the original tie at Stanmore having been abandoned because of a dangerous surface and last week's replay washed out.
The eventual winners will get a semi-final home tie with Saffron Walden, the Essex Premier League champions.
Andover were the form side when the initial five-week session of 50-over cricket ended and skipper Roger Miller will demand a repeat of early season form in the visit to Bournemouth.
"We've won four of our five 50-over games and are currently top of the pennant table.
"There is a separate prize for finishing top in the 50-over game and we intend to stay top, if at all possible," he said.
Bashley (Rydal) go to Portsmouth, with Burridge in need of desperate relegation points against Calmore Sports, who are without wedding-bound James Hibberd at Botley Road.
"We've got to make up a massive deficit at the bottom," says skipper Paul Ancell. "And beating Calmore tomorrow if top of our priority list.
"We've got Calmore tomorrow and play Liphook next week. If we can win those games, we're in with a chance of survival."
Burridge are boosted by the return of Neil Cuningham (ankle) and left-armer Steve Williams (hamstring) from injury.
© SPCL
| Players/Umpires | Daniel Goldstraw, Roger Miller, James Hibberd. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |