Grovedale is hoping it can convert its T20 form into the longer format in the Geelong Cricket Association.
The Tigers won through to the T20 grand final on Tuesday night with a strong win against East Belmont.
The two teams will take to the field against each other for the third time within eight days, as they take to the field on Saturday in day two of their GCA 1 first XI clash.
Grovedale skipper Jack Wrigglesworth said it had been a frustrating season for the side, with their longer format form and the shorter stuff, completely different.
“We need to get a win,” he said. ‘We have not won since round three.
“If we don’t win this one we’re in a bit of trouble and have to beat the Joeys pretty comfortably to have a chance of playing finals.
“It’s been a frustrating year. We started off pretty well, but don’t know what happened.
“It’s been for no reason. We have a lot of good players and no one has had a bad year, but we can’t put it all together at the one time.”
Wrigglesworth said it was a positive that they were still in the finals mix despite the losing streak, He said on current form they probably don’t deserve to play finals, but they can still turn things around.
“I think if we can get into finals, we’ve got a lot of good players and still a chance of beating anyone.”
The Tigers have their work cut out for them on day two against East Belmont, after a batting collapse left them chasing their tail.
The Tigers were bowled out for 183. Wrigglesworth said they were disappointed to be bowled out for that.
“We started off well and Rob [Smith], our South African, got almost 50,” he said. “We then had a bit of a collapse after being 0-80. We lost 8-50 after tea, which really cost.’
Already on top, East Belmont survived 21 overs at the end of day one. It will resume at 0-39.
Wrigglesworth said they would need one of their bowlers to have a day out to hopefully get them back into the game.
“Someone is going to have to do something pretty special with them needing 140. They have one of the best batting line ups in the competition.”
While the Tigers have a fight on their hands to remain in the top four of the main competition, they will play off for silverware in the T20 competition.
The Tigers had little trouble in beating East Belmont in the semi finals of that competition.
East Belmont was bowled out for 95, with the Tigers finishing 4-98 in reply.
Wrigglesworth said they had put together a strong T20 competition so far.
“We’ve got a really good T20 side,” he said. “The results show we have won pretty easily.
“The way we played last night [Tuesday] is frustrating, as we didn’t play that way on Saturday.
“We deserve to be through to the final in the T20s and hopefully we can take some of that form into Saturday and don’t come crashing down to earth.”
Tara Murray
