With an unbeaten streak which extends back to the end of November, Diggers have jumped into the top spot and will be looking to maintain that position when they take on Leagues.
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With Diggers game again Coro awarded as an abandoned match, meaning both sides got six points each, the side were able to leapfrog Exies into the top spot on percentage.
Captain Theo Valeri feels their success comes down to everybody performing their role.
“The middle order has been in great form in recent weeks,” he said.
“There ability to score runs takes off the pressure off our bowlers knowing they will have a decent target to defend.”
One of the key performers in the middle order for Diggers has been Trevor Richards who continues to lead the run scoring for the first-grade competition after scoring his second fifty of the season last year.
Richards innings was ended early last week after he top-edged a delivery from Tom Spry into his head and was forced to retire.
Despite that Valeri said he was confident Richards would be available this weekend.
“He (Richards) said he would be at training this week, so I expect that he will play on Saturday,” he said.
“He is one of those batsmen who just keeping better.”
Not only has the batting been working well but the bowlers have also been standing tall for the Diggers side, and Valeri was thankful for how well his bowlers have performed so far this season.
“Most of the bowling spots are set in stone,” he said.
“It makes my job easier knowing that if someone isn’t at their best I can take them off and whoever I replace them with will be able to get the job done.”
This weekend Diggers take on a Leagues side who have been struggling to find their consistency this season and after a loss to Coro, last weekend are sitting just outside the top four.
Despite their struggles, Valeri won’t be taking them lightly.
“They are always a tough side to come up against,” he said.
“We won’t be approaching the game any differently even though they have been having a tough season.”
In the sides head-to-head record, this season the Diggers have won the two games between the two sides so far this season.
In the last meeting between the two sides, a dropped catch provided the major turning point as Richards was dropped on zero before he went on to score 128 runs and Diggers were able to take a 110-run victory.
The game will get underway at 1pm at Exies No 2 on Saturday afternoon.
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
