By Lance Jenkinson
Werribee will head into its Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association one-day clash against Mount Waverley at Mount Waverley Reserve on Saturday with much to ponder at the selection table.
The Tigers will be without star all-rounder James Freeman, who is unavailable for selection.
Tigers captain-coach Tim O’Brien said the selectors will determine on Thursday night whether to bolster their batting line-up or bowling attack.
“We’ll do what’s best for team balance with it being a one-day game,” he said.
“We’ve just got to work out if we’ll go more of a batting option or a bowling option.
“I’m sure someone will step up and fill the void that we’ll be missing with him.”
Werribee is well placed for a re-shuffle through the ranks.
The Tigers have enviable depth throughout the grades, including a number of players knocking on the door of first XI selection.
With at least one spot opening up in the top side with Freeman’s absence, training should be competitive this week.
“There’s multiple players that can come in,” O’Brien said.
“With the batting, Chris Hennessy has been in good form, Andrew Ford could come back, Alex Johnstone played some ones games last year and performed really well in the seconds and Ryan Alifraco has done some good stuff in one-day cricket.
“There’s a few options with the ball too.
“Young Brody Black took five wickets last week and players like Tim Gage and Jack Budd have played a lot of first XI previously.
“We’ve just got to decide if we want to go the extra batter or the extra bowler. It’s something to think about during the week.”
There is positive energy around Werribee early in the season. The Tigers are yet to taste defeat in any of their games this season from the first XI right through to the fourths.
“It’s still good vibes,” O’Brien said.
