Messenger Bowl school Twenty20 cricket competition kicks off today
ST MICHAEL’S College is quietly confident it can claim back-to-back Messenger Bowl school cricket titles despite fielding an inexperienced squad this season.
ST MICHAEL’S College is quietly confident it can claim back-to-back Messenger Bowls despite fielding an inexperienced squad this season.
The college Twenty20 cricket competition starts this afternoon – 11 months after the Henley Beach school crunched Adelaide High in the grand final.
Adelaide High triumphed over St Michael’s in the previous year’s decider.
St Michael’s has lost some experienced cricketers but retained captain and West Torrens A-grader Daniel Drew, vice-captain Warren Peters and Port Adelaide batsman Nik Kartas
“We’ve lost a few key players but have got some youngsters that are up-and-coming and developing really well, and gelling well as a team,” St Michael’s player John Stevens said.
Adelaide High captain Michael Cormack said his side needed a strong start if it wanted to be a contender again this year.
“We know we have key players in our group so if we get off to a good start we can have some momentum going into the finals,” said Cormack, also an Adelaide Buffalos off-spinner.
“Hopefully this year the rivalry (with St Michael’s) continues and we can get the win in the end.”
Adelaide High has lost Connor McLean but Glenelg’s under-17 state representative Jake Winter remains.
The school will be coached by Phil Hopton and Jeremy Appleton this season, taking over from Paul Volkov.
Other western schools in the competition are Westminster, Immanuel and Sacred Heart.
Meanwhile, Cabra Dominican College hopes to surprise a few schools during this year’s competition.
Adelaide High defeated Cabra in round one of last year's tournament, but the Cumberland Park school has a more appeasing opening clash this time, against newcomer Cardijn.
“We’ll be looking to get a win early and progress from there,” Cabra captain Charlie Parker said.
“We’re not really a big cricket school but we hope to do as well as we can.
“We’ve played them (Cardijn) a fair few times in little knockout competitions and we’ve beaten them in there.
“We’ve played a fair bit of cricket together and gel well so it’s a matter of putting it together.”
Parker said his side needed to improve its batting to progress deep into the competition.
Cabra has retained the bulk of its squad, save for captain Nathan van Ekeren.
“The team has come a long way,” said Parker, a leg-spinner for Sturt.
“We’re more of a team, not just a one-man team.”
Adelaide paceman Luke Lavender looms as a player to watch for Cabra.
Other eastern schools in the tournament are Prince Alfred, Unley High, Rostrevor, Blackfriars, St Peter’s, Pembroke, St Ignatius, Mercedes, Scotch and Pulteney.