Round 3 - Gamblers v Vipers at The Strip (completed)

Vago, O'Neill†, Herd, Gemmell*, Hornby, Popovic, Read, Tyson, Taylor, Man, Yates

Luffman, McGrath, Delonge*, Torres, Gee, Verigotta, Weaver, Graham†, Eggman, Welker, Blunder

The unstoppable train that is the Vipers travels to The Strip this week for what shapes as a season defining game for the Gamblers. The question that will define the game is 'whether the Gamblers can take 20 wickets?' Their batting has had an incredible start to the season, with Ben Herd completely shellacking the Sticky Wickets' attack last week and Brett Gemmell showing signs of a late career resurgence. However, despite all of this, a few holes have begun to emerge in their bowling. It's becoming evident that Chocolate Man isn't near the bowler he once was, having had an awful season 11 and an average start to season 12, while the Gamblers have also plucked S Yates out of nowhere to play first grade again, despite him having missed a season. The Vipers juggernaut needs no review or preview; everyone is familiar with them, however there will be pressure on S Graham - making his first grade return due to the injury of Don Boland. His lack of practice with the gloves may hurt the Vipers - in particular the bowlers who may have several sitters dropped by Graham.

Ben Hornby is one to watch in this fixture. Off the back of a very average season 11, Hornby will be aiming to halt the charge of Luka Popovic and Ben Read for a higher batting spot. Popovic is ranked 7th in the world of Cricsim with the willow, and Read's coming off a career best season - so if Hornby doesn't start scoring some runs he may find himself batting at number 7. For the Vipers, look out for Wes Welker. He's been dominant for a few seasons now and no doubt he'll feast upon these batsmen - if Weaver and Eggman haven't already.

The Herald predicts a 165 run/7 wicket win to the Vipers, with a Delonge 150 in the first innings setting up the game. Ben Taylor will prove the main resistance though, taking 10 wickets for the game.