Key players missing as one-day competition resumes

An intriguing round of the Albany Cricket Association A-grade one-day competition awaits, with ladder-leaders Railways missing key personnel and Mt Barker without captain Jeremy Wood for the first fixtures of 2018 on Saturday.

Adding to the excitement of the return of the regular season, just four points separate third and sixth position on the ladder, and bottom side Collingwood Park are coming off their first win of the season back in late December.

The Tigers will be severely undermanned against rivals Royals in their round 7 meeting at Turf West, with skipper Zane Marwick, all-rounder Nathan Crudeli and veteran Tim Edmunds all absent because of WA Country XI duties.

Star batsman Mitch Green is also expected to miss the first game of the new year, leaving the reigning four-times premiers lacking a stack of valuable experience.

Cohen Chapman will be missing from the Lions’ top order, but their young side have been solid since re-joining the A-grade ranks.

They sit in fifth position on the back of a victory over Manypeaks before Christmas and will break into the top four with a second straight win.

Wood, who is also touring with the WA Country XI in Geraldton, will leave a big void in the Bulls’ top order, as they have a rare home game at Sounness Park against North County.

The Bulldogs have been the surprise packet in the first third of the one-day competition, winning three of their five games to be third on the ladder.

However, a fourth win will have to come without captain Neil Ferreira and his talented sons Michael and Matthew, with the trio currently overseas, leaving veteran Craig Tonkin to take the reins.

Park will search for back-to-back wins when they tackle Peaks at Turf North, while Denmark have their first bye of the season.