Round 1 - Stingrays v Vipers at Fever Pitch (completed)

Stingrays vs Vipers

Stingrays: Dafter, Morgan, Martyn, Fung, Logan, Lee, Das, Rask, James, Cambridge, Ikram.
Vipers: McGrath, Luffman, Delonge, Torres, Gee, Verigotta, Boland, Weaver, Eggman, Welker, Blunder.

The reigning champions visit the Fever Pitch, and are expected to win fairly comfortable, despite the home-ground advantage for the Stingrays. On a pitch with a fair amount of fast assistance in order to aid the Stingrays' talented new ball pair, in Andrew James and Steve Cambridge, the Vipers bring a fast-bowling attack of Dave Eggman, Gareth Weaver and Bobby Blunder - arguably the most lethal in the competition.

If the Stingrays are to win, they'll need an excellent collective effort from the batsmen. Led by opener Siege Morgan, the Stingrays are sure to be troubled by the quality of the Vipers bowling attack, but if they can rack up a strong first innings score they may be in with a chance.

As strong favourites, it would just take players performing to their potential for the Vipers to win. Each of their key quartet of bowlers have the potential to rip through the Stingrays' batting lineup, however, if they do all fail, they won't get much help from the fifth bowler. I, for one, would like nothing more than Torres or Verigotta getting thrashed around (Editor's note: views of member Skippos and not the CricSim Herald).

The key battle is likely to be Siege Morgan vs Dave Eggman. With the large amount of fast assistance the Victorian will receive, he's likely to be in top form. Eggman and Stingrays' starlet Morgan are sure to have an interesting feud.

We predict a 6 wicket win for the Vipers, with Eggman ripping through the Stingrays' batting lineup, despite a hard-fought Martyn century.

Herald Tips
Mousey - Vipers
Eds - Vipers
Baxter - Vipers
Morgieb - Vipers
Cribbage - Vipers
Callum - Vipers
Gazza - Vipers
Eggman - Vipers
Jager - Vipers
Skippos - Vipers
Fung - Vipers