Cricket starts Saturday

ILLAWARRA cricket starts this weekend with a round of one-day matches.

Defending premiers University will host semi-finalists Helensburgh at University Oval while grand finalists Corrimal will meet Wollongong at North Dalton Park.

Keira will host Dapto at Keira Oval while Wests will meet Balgownie at Figtree Oval and Northern Districts will face Port Kembla at King George Oval.

University are coming off a great season, in which they won almost all trophies on offer, including the club championship, minor premiership, one-day competition, Twenty20 final and the major premiership.

Skipper Wayne Livermore is under no illusions that his side faces a stiff task to repeat that success in 2007-08.

“We’ve set a high bar and after we had a season like that everyone will come out gunning for us,” Livermore said.

“We’re aiming to make the semis and giving ourselves a chance of defending the premiership.

The defending premiers have attracted all-rounder Kurt Miller from Jamberoo but Sean Kempton may be absent due to work commitments.

The nucleus of Uni’s successful side will be back for 2007-08, led by joint Illawarra Cricketer of the Year Graeme Stinson.

Corrimal skipper Graeme Batty said the 2007 runners-up might do it tough in the opening rounds.

They have lost Joel Nupier to Dapto and with absences and suspensions, might look ‘depleted’ early in the season.

The main planks of Corrimal’s campaign for a three-peat of grand finals will be Dean Merola and quicks Adam Brown and Brad Jardine.

Helensburgh are looking to build on last season’s semi-final berth, president Graeme Lundie said.

Keira have attracted former Balgownie and Dapto all-rounder Glen Prouten as co-coach for the new season.

However, they have lost Joint Illawarra Cricketer of the Year Adrian Ezquerro and bowlers Angus Palmer and Vince O’Donnell to Sydney for the new season.

All matches start at 11am.