Sutherland face the biggest test in NSW Premier Cricket this weekend – and the biggest test to their hopes of reaching the finals.
Top of the table Sydney University make the trek to Glenn McGrath Oval, Caringbah to face Sutherland in a two-day, round 10 clash this weekend looking to maintain their place at the summit.
But Sutherland ended a slump in form on Saturday to down University of NSW to sit in ninth place on 31 points, five outside the top six and will be keen to put in another good performance at home during the Saturday-Sunday clash.
And an upset win for Sutherland would give the side another confidence boost, with their win over UNSW securing them a place in the limited overs quarter finals against Bankstown on January 29.
“Obviously after losing a couple of games in a row it was good to stop that [against UNSW],” captain Chris Williams said.
“Winning when there are still a few things you could have done better can be a positive in that there is still a lot of improvement in us.
“That win was good and we’re also into the [limited overs] quarter finals now. We’ll have to be at our best against [Sydney University], that’s for sure.”
Williams said there was also some good news regarding regular captain Ben Dwarshuis, with the young all-rounder shrugging off a back injury suffered earlier in the season to star for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash.
“Hopefully Ben might be available after the Big Bash and pending on his NSW selection it’d be great for us if we get him back at some stage because he strengthens our side so much,” Williams said.
“He’s going well, played every game and contributing mainly with the ball. Obviously we want what’s best for him and his career because he’s such a good bloke and playing for the Sixers and NSW is great for him.
“But if we do get him it’d be a massive boost.”
