Waratah v PINT - Gardens Oval
Waratah has a big week coming up with the Gardens Oval side facing PINT not once, but twice.
And captain Jagadesh Koduru is aware of his opposition and a competition “that looks quite even” as he prepares to face the Greens in a T20 at DXC Arena on Thursday before a 50-over clash at home on Saturday.
"Having a look at their team that played on the weekend, they got a few guys returning," Koduru said.
"They got Fuz (Farzan Chowna) who I know quite well, he is a really good player. Mitch Doolan's come back, Coby Edmondstone; Coby is always good up the top too.
"They look strong this year, the whole competition looks quite even. They'll be good, they won't be easy, I think it will be a good game this Saturday."
Both sides will enter this week’s clashes with a win under their belt after the Greens upset Southern Districts in a five-wicket win and the Warriors got a tight 20-run victory over Palmerston.
Koduru, the new Warriors skipper taking over from Isaac Conway who isn’t available for every game this season, started his campaign in fine style, scoring a game-high 80 off 103 deliveries against Palmy.
"It was good to spend some time out there," he said.
"As they are every year (Palmerston) they are a pretty good side, they have got a few new handy imports so going into the game we knew it wasn't going to be easy, especially with a few players down and not being able to come up yet.
"Having said that, it was good to get that first win out the way and we are looking forward to PINT this week.”
The Warriors will receive a boost in the coming weeks as they get their full quota of imports including 2022 Ralph Wiese medallist and Victorian opener Ashley Chandrasinghe.
But for now, they got their older brigade doing a great job of holding up the fort including coach Udara Weerasinghe who took 3-24 at the ripe old age of 41 in the opening round last Saturday.
"Ageing like fine wine I guess," Koduru said.
"All those boys Udara, Madura Weerasinghe, Himesh Sandaradura, I think it is probably something that you need in our team, we got that wealth of experience.
"We got both ends of the spectrum with younger guys coming up and then those older guys helping us too. It's amazing to see and to be able to still carry out your skills from all three of them is what is going to win us games."
New recruit Dave Dubey from ACT was also an impressive performer for the Warriors last Saturday with 4-32 off nine overs and 23 with the bat.
"Before the weekend, I haven't seen a whole heap of him, he is a bit younger than me, he is from ACT, a gun bat, up the top of the order he smacked them (in round 1), got us off to a good start," he said.
"And then he bowls really well, handy pace bowler, he bowled really well, knew his plans and executed nicely."
Nightcliff v Palmerston - Nightcliff Oval
In the other games, Palmy will travel to take on Nightcliff who scored a dominant 114-run win over Darwin last Saturday.
The opening partnership of Connor Carroll and Douwtjie Hoogenboezem will be one to watch in the Tigers line up after the pair put up a stand of 157 at the top of the order in round 1.
Tracy Village v Darwin - Tracy Village Oval
Meanwhile Tracy Village will get their first taste of cricket this season with Rick Bean’s side hosting Darwin in a game with a first win on the line for both teams.
The Eagles bowling will be an area of focus for new coach Darren Treumer after they gave away the most runs in the first round with 270.
The clash will also see Treumer coming up against his old club where he spent much of his cricket career applying his wicketkeeping craft as well as coaching later down the track.
Southern Districts will have the week off following their opening-round loss to PINT.
Rain will also be a watch this weekend with forecasts indicating the possibility of some interruptions.