Round 5 - Ravens v Cyclones at Ravens Unkindness (completed)

Ravens vs Cyclones

Cribb, Phlegm, Jackson, Deane, Dong, Laing, Howell, Faithful, Orr, Ryabovol, Chung.

Farhat, Narang, Gonzalez, Masters, Morris, Man, Hurricane, Hunt, Jacobs, Edwards, McDougal.

One of the season's overperformers in the Cyclones visit the tricky Ravens' Unkindness in what is unlikely to be one of CricSim's great matches. However, despite pre-season suggestions, the Ravens and Cyclones are only two points apart after a quarter of the season. The Cyclones were originally tipped for the spoon but upsets against the Crusaders and the Gamblers mean they now sit in 6th place with 18 points and a very respectable quotient of 0.98 (in comparison to the Ravens' 0.88).

The Cyclones have perhaps fared well this season due to a consistently strong collective batting lineup and star performances from Nigel Hunt and James McDougal with the ball. The batting lineup doesn't contain the star that a number of other teams possess, but, barring Juan Gonzalez, every member of the top seven has earned their place. There have also been valuable lower order runs from Hunt and Jacobs to supplement the successful performances from the likes of Bannerman Shield rookie John Hurricane, who averages 52.80 for the season. However, the Cyclones' two wins this season have come largely off the back of Nigel Hunt's spectacular bowling form. History suggests this form is unlikely to last long, so James McDougal and Michael Edwards may need to step up in order to rip through the Ravens' neverending batting lineup.

But a long tail isn't the only strength the Ravens possess. Their depth of bowling options is such that all-rounders Supple Dong and Callum Laing haven't been chucked the ball at all by captain Marcuss Deane. This new-found batting freedom has led to the two racking up the runs, and both find themselves in the Ravens' top three Bannerman Shield run scorers for the season, alongside the ever-reliable Deane. Callum Laing's performances with the bat have been particularly impressive, considering the Scot bats at #8 for his provincial side, Britain.

The combination of batting depth and the lack of viable Cyclones bowling options means the Herald predicts an 8-wicket win for the Ravens. However, the match could easily falter into a draw with a lack of bowling potency on both sides, as well as the long batting lineups. The Herald believes fortunes will change for Nigel Hunt, who will revert to type, and Maroon Faithful, who will finally end his barren Bannerman Shield run with a five wicket haul.