Nowthe real stuff starts

CRICKET BY LIAM DURKIN

FORGET Christmas, this is the most wonderful time of the year.

Finals commence in local cricket this weekend.

Teams have tip-toed their way through the regular season, to now reach apoint where the ultimate prize is within striking distance.

That distance is so close yet so far -one bad day of cricket from here could undo months of work.

That’s the reality of finals in any sport. Therein also lies the beauty.

For those that have completed solid home-andaway campaigns, connotations of ‘keep going’ will ring loud.

Equally, those that have just scrapped in will be approaching their finals with absolutely no fear.

Plenty of teams have peaked at the right time.

Boisdale-Briagolong completed aremarkable resurrection to win the 2018/19 premiership in the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association.

The Saints were second-last at Christmas, at which time they parted ways with the coach, and then went on to win the flag.

Finals also throw up some truly mystical outcomes

Surely no one can beat Mirboo North when it comes to pulling off great escapes come finals.

The Tigers manufactured aseemingly impossible reverse outright in the 2015/16 Semi, and an equally nerve-killingdraw in 2020/21, while the 2013/14 Grand Final came down to the 200th over.

Is getting there the hardest part?

Some are adamant the Semi-Final is the hardest game to win.

Statistically at least, you could mount acase.

CATS won last season’s Latrobe Valley District Cricket League Premier ASemi by four runs, and then won the granny by 130.

Closely fought semis are possibly aby-product of a wandering mind to what is to come the next week.

While losing aGrandFinalisn’t fun(been there a few times) the result carries more closure because at least no one else is playing the next week.

Do you have to lose aGrand Finaltowin one?

Possibly, although this could be argued on a number of factors ranging from team experience, conditions on the day, and influence of the toss.

While these questions might be up for debate, one thing is for certain come finals: There is always one bloke who does nothing all season and then plays out of their skin in afinal.

Who will it be this year?

The selection room this week could well resemble the war room such are the decisions being pondered.

Do you stick withawinning team, or throw a curveball?

Awinning team has got you to this position, although asneakyselection isn’t the worst ploy.

ThinkofMarlion Pickett-asanopposition how do you prepare for someone you’ve never seen before?

To the darker side of finals, it’s around this time of year you hear stories ranging from players threatening to leave if they aren’t selected, to letters being sent to the committee offering ultimatums.

There is bound to be at least one dummy spit in the next two weeks.

Players need to understand they are members of the club, and not tied to aparticular team.

As the finals approach however, the motivation should be there for players who might feel hard done by to keep training and keep the faith.

Finals oftenthrowupsurprises, and many players who have kept working have benefited from being the last one standing at the finish line.

Churchill needed the next man in after Jesse Giardina sustained an injuryattraining during Grand Final week of 2018/19, while in 2014/15, Latrobe had to find alast-minute replacement for KaushikAphale after he came down with illness right on the eve of the match.

Would you miss awedding for acricket final? Most people would, but plenty of people haven’t. COVID still existsdon’t forget, and there is nothing to suggest it couldn’t wipe someone out for afinal

To thosewho areplaying cricket finalsthis week, good luck.

Hope you’ve paid your subs.