Peaks captain confident of minor premiers for grand final berth

Manypeaks captain Ryan Kinnear believes his side are more than capable of upsetting defending premiers Railways in their spicy Albany Cricket Association A-grade second semifinal at Tigerland on Saturday afternoon, to book a place in next week’s grand final.

The Tigers have again been the dominant side of the regular season, losing just one game and beating Peaks in their three 50-over encounters. But in their most recent clash, just 13 runs separated the two sides.

Peaks won five of their last six games to close out the season, with the only loss coming at the hands of the Tigers in the round 14 thriller where they were bowled out for 120 in reply to the home side’s 133.

Kinnear said his side had been building towards the finals nicely and was confident of a strong showing against the minor premiers given a grand final berth was on the line.

“The last six or seven weeks we have started playing really well, playing consistent cricket,” Kinnear said.

“We got real close to them last start and we will go in with plenty of confidence.

“A lot of teams go in against Railways thinking they will get belted.

“The last month has showed they have come right back to the pack, but they are still the best side and they will take some beating.”

Peaks will go into the final with the same side that lost to the Tigers in their last match-up and Kinnear called for his batsman to step up.

In their three 50-over games this season Peaks have 73, 110 and 120 with the bat and Kinnear said they required a big score to be successful in the next couple of weekends.

“Obviously the main key is our bowling, that’s what we focus on to ease the pressure on our batting,” he said.

“But I think what will get us through the next couple of weeks is our batting.

“Really our top order have to get it together, one or two blokes stepping up to get a big score because the rest of our game is in pretty good order.”

Tigers counterpart Zane Marwick said there was an air of excitement around their camp ahead of another finals campaign.

“Its exciting to be playing finals,” he said.

“We’ve got to be switched on and play the way we have been all year.

“Every time so far against Manypeaks we’ve been tested.”

The Tigers will name an unchanged line-up from their last regular game and Marwick said his batsman hold the key.

“We haven’t been patient enough when we are batting against them,” he said.

“They like tying you down but it’s about trying to score off the bad balls, batting time and not getting frustrated with not scoring.

“They all bowl really well, so we will pay each of them the same respect.”

Sri Lankan import Ramesh Lakmal looms as a key figure in Denmark’s bid to win Saturday’s elimination first semifinal against Collingwood Park at McLean Park.

Lakmal has taken 24 wickets and made 404 runs for the Magpies this season and starred with 3-27 and 68 not out in his side’s 134-run win over Park in their most recent clash.