ONE team’s winning run will come to an end at the County Ground in Glos Wilts One tomorrow as unbeaten Swindon entertain undefeated Biddestone in an early season humdinger.
Having overcome Wootton Bassett, Marshfield and Rockhampton so far this term, Swindon go into the meeting brimming with confidence, but skipper Liam Tucker is eager for his teammates to dig deep against a talented Biddestone 11.
The visitors have had only two games survive the elements thus far this year, but in those completed games their blend of exciting youth and intimidating experience thoroughly overwhelmed Marshfield and edged out a Potterne side tipped to do well in the division.
“We know that they are a good all-round side and they have a number of very good players,” said Tucker.
“What we have to do is keep doing the things we have been doing well so far this season, keep working hard and keep picking out results.
“If we bat first we need to get runs on the board and look for a big total. We back ourselves to defend any score, like we did against Bassett, but ideally you’re always looking for a big total.
“If we’re bowling we need early wickets, it’s pretty simple.”
But the task in front of Tucker and his Swindon side, in either scenario, is sizeable.
Should Biddestone get first use of the ball, the dynamic seam bowling of Naeem Khan poses a huge threat for the Swindon openers.
Khan has headed the wicket-taking list in Glos Wilts One, along with former Swindon all-rounder Bruce Martin, for the last three years and Tucker is all too aware of his capacity to decimate top orders.
“Naeem has been a dangerous bowler for a long time, and he and Bruce were streaks ahead of most in the last few years,” he said.
However, Khan is just one of Biddestone’s talismans.
Jamie Mitchell at the top of the order has the capacity to become a one-man roadblock should circumstances dictate, and if Swindon’s attack can break through his defences then they only unleash the destructive Dwaine Perry.
After missing out in Biddestone’s opening encounter of the season against Potterne, Perry went berserk on a beleaguered Marshfield bowling unit a fortnight ago, spanking 119 off just 94 balls. The rest of his side contributed just 99 between them.
Tucker realises he has his work cut out to contain his outfit’s opponents, but remains upbeat about their chances of extending their impressive winning run.
“We’re praying for no rain and to have a full game, and if conditions are good we can definitely get something from the match,” he said.
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