BACCHUS Marsh coach Paul Baker has called on his senior batsmen to stand up and perform against Gisborne Dragons in the semi-finals of the Gisborne District Cricket Association this weekend.
A cliffhanger result last time the teams met in McIntyre Cup - a one-wicket win for Bacchus Marsh - has Baker well aware his batsmen need to fire.
The Bacchus Marsh top order got off to a good start at the weekend, reaching 0-50 against Woodend before Saturday's rain ended play.
A full round of washouts meant the ladder stayed the same, with Sunbury United to play Romsey in the other semi-final.
"We won the toss and were quite happy, the storm came up quickly and you could see there was no chance of any further play," Baker said.
Even with limited match time in recent weeks, the Bacchus Marsh coach said there would be few changes to training.
"We'll go about it the same way, we trained pretty hard on Tuesday night and put in a lighter one on Thursday and I won't change that," Baker said.
"Last time [against Gisborne] was a good game of cricket, it's usually pretty competitive. They know how to play good cricket."
Gisborne's Simon Harman made 78 out of his team's 163 when the teams last met on January 30 and February 6. Baker said the opener was a clear danger man.
"Against Gisborne you need to bowl well because Simon can get away from you pretty quick," he said.
"But then it's our senior bats that need to stand up
- openers Scott Wakefield and Rodney Keane, Dennis O'Loughlin and Peter Lalor."
In Saturday's other abbreviated results, Riddell was 5-76 against Rupertswood when rain hit; Macedon was 133 all out against Romsey with no second innings; and Gisborne Dragons compiled 2-75 against Sunbury United.