THE race for semi-final berths might end up being decided off the field tonight as Warrnambool and District Cricket Association officials yesterday ruled out a pre-emptive decision in the case of team sheet error.
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Second-placed Allansford resumes at 2-25 chasing Russells Creek’s 209 at Jetty Flat but the final-round result could be irrelevant after Creek last week batted a player who was inadvertently left off the team sheet.
Creek raised the issue with Allansford and the umpires.
But late yesterday association general manager Michael Harrison notified both clubs and the umpires the match would proceed as normal.
Harrison said the association had sought information from Cricket Victoria on what should happen.
“We have received advice from Cricket Victoria and it can be dealt with at the end of the match,” he said.
“It (a ruling) can’t be decided until the match is over.”
Any decision on the error would be determined by the association’s match committee.
While Creek is out of finals contention in the Hopkins conference, Allansford is in a tense battle to secure second and a spot in next week’s semi-final against Merri conference ladder-leader West Warrnambool.
Allansford captain Kyall Timms said the Gators wanted to earn a semi-final berth with a win. “We’ve been drumming into our players all week we need to put that out of our minds and make 210,” he said.
“If we do that the situation is eliminated and it’s the best thing for everyone. It’s going to be very hard, we have to bat well.”
Timms said he was confident his side’s batting depth could achieve the target. “If we bat our time we should get the runs.”
The outcome of the match has massive implications for third-placed Woodford which has to beat top-side Merrivale. Resuming at 5-68 chasing 99 for victory, Woodford needs to win and hope Allansford is defeated to climb into second. East Warrnambool-YCW needs 228 runs to defeat Brierly Christ Church in the remaining Hopkins conference game.
In the Merri conference, Dennington (152) needs nine wickets for less than 150 to end West Warrnambool’s unbeaten run (1-3). A victory would ensure it stays second and advances to the semis while third-placed Wesley-CBC (161) needs West to get the runs and for it to restrict Nirranda (0-9) to less than 152 today at Walter Oval. In the other game, Port Fairy has Nestles 223 for victory at Reid Oval.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au
