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Macquarie head into day two of their match with CYMS Cougars high on confidence but wary the lightning-fast outfield at Lady Cutler 2 makes their task of defending 312 a little more challenging.
Jason Green's near flawless 168 not out last week led the Blues to 7-312 at stumps but captain Keiran Brien admitted after the match the result could not be taken for granted.
The Cougars begin their run chase today minus captain Ben O'Donnell and representative all-rounder Ben Strachan but the camp is aware batting becomes easier after getting settled on the flat pitch.
Green was the undoubted highlight last week but he was given plenty of support by the likes of Ed Haylock (49) and Justin Gavin (44 not out) and CYMS will be desperate to build partnerships today.
While Strachan and O'Donnell are significant losses in the batting line-up there is still talent there with the likes of Ryan Medley, Stuart Naden, Harry Brennan, young gun Callan Braithwaite and Matt Ellis, who has held the innings together a number of times for the Cougars so far this season.
Ellis made an unbeaten 79 last time the two sides met. He is also coming off a 63 last round against Rugby and seems the perfect player for the Cougars to build their run chase around today.
Representative players Medley and Naden will be keen to make big scores today with the opportunity to build an innings while in the one match the Cougars have won this season they had Brennan and Braithwaite to thank after the pair made a 128-run partnership to lead their team to victory.
The Blues have also only won one Whitney Cup match this season but after starting the season slowly they have shown they are by no means going to be the easybeats of the competition like many suggested before the season began.
With the ball today they'll look to teenager Angus Cusack to lead the way while there is plenty of support with Ben Page, Joe Haylock and Nathan Reichelt all expected to get through a number of overs.
Ed Haylock and Justin Gavin are also capable of providing some variety should they need to called on.
CYMS begins their run chase at 1pm today.