GSCA 2024-25: Broomehill chasing fourth straight title and Kendenup out to exact revenge in grand final

Kendenup are taking plenty from their qualifying final loss to Broomehill into this Saturday’s grand final showdown, according to skipper Clinton Gilbert. The Bandicoots were 41-run winners last Saturday, sending Kendenup to the preliminary final. But a washout there had them progressing to the decider as the highest ranked team in the Great Southern Cricket Association. Gilbert said although his side made 212 in their chase of 254 in the qualifying final, he believes they still have plenty they can improve on. “We had them 4-60 odd and were one or two wickets away from cracking into them and bowling them out for under 200,” he said. “But they batted out of their skins — Lewis made a really good hundred and had a good partnership with Max. “We got to 212 without our top four really making a big score and we bowled well in patches, but we can bowl a lot better than that. “Putting a good score on the board batting first or taking early wickets, that will be the key to beating them.” Kendenup’s preliminary final with Tambellup was abandoned without a ball being bowled. “Obviously Sunday was not ideal (preparation) with a washout, we would much rather have played,” Gilbert said. “That’s what happens during the normal year and why you finish higher. “The pitch was soaked and the outfield was wet early but would have been OK. But it was the pitch that was the issue.” Gilbert (473 runs) and young all-rounder Jakob Douglas (538) will play key roles at the top of the order for Kendenup, having contributed only 26 runs together in the qualifying final loss. Kendenup are expected to go into the clash unchanged from Saturday and their rivals the Bandicoots will be the same, taking the same team into title decider. Bandicoots captain Lewis Barritt, fresh off a sparkling century in the qualifying final, said his side were raring to go as they chase a premiership four-peat. “We will be full strength this week, no changes,” he said. “It will be really important to bowl line and length, we can tidy up on that a bit. “All year we’ve had different contributors with the bat, two good openers and then Mac (Crichton) and Dave (Hinchcliffe) to start that middle order. “With our batting we have a long line up and hopefully our top four won’t combine for that again (combined for 56 runs on Saturday). “Obviously we were in a bit of trouble and put on a reasonable score at the end and then defended it. “(Kendenup) gave us a scare there at the end, it was unfortunate for (Tambellup) what happened on Sunday but the best sides come first and second in the regular season and we know they will give us a really strong challenge.” One key in the Great Southern Shield decider will be the Bandicoots’ ability to see off dangerous seamers Jared Ballard and Douglas, who combined for 46 wickets this season. Englishman Max Jordison has found vital form with the bat for the Bandicoots, who also possess the 2024-25 cricketer of the year in Jack Batchelor. The grand final will be played at Broomehill starting noon and will be live streamed on FrogBox.