Jason Ryan is one of a number of players set to be missing from the RSL-Colts line-up on Saturday, but said his club is fortunate to have the amount of depth it does to cover.
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Colts sits well clear at the top of the RSL-Whitney Cup ladder, 21 points ahead of second-placed South Dubbo.
The men in red meet CYMS this weekend, but will be without a number of regulars.
Ryan is out, as is tearaway opening bowler Tom Atlee and Tim Howarth while opening batsman Paul Hulthen is also in doubt.
“We’re pretty lucky though,” Ryan said.
“We bring back Matt Keenan this week, he played second grade last week and Michael Ying Sing is back in town on uni holidays and he played a bit of first grade last week so he’s in.
“We’re pretty lucky to have the depth we do in second grade that we can call on.”
Marty Jeffrey also returns this weekend after missing last Saturday due to his Sydney Sixers Community Rookie commitments.
Colts and CYMS have met on two occasions this season and both have handed in hugely lopsided results.
Back in round one, a Ben Semmler-inspired Colts side crushed the Cougars in what remains this season’s only outright win, while in round six CYMS was rolled for 129 and beaten by 10 wickets as Wes Giddings blasted his side to victory.
“They’re a tough side and running third at the moment but probably have the second most wins,” Ryan said.
“Even though they lost a couple at the start they still played some good cricket and its good to see a young side doing well.”
Colts is gunning for its ninth straight victory, while CYMS suffered its first loss in four last week.
The Cougars scored wins over Newtown, Macquarie and Rugby before being beaten by South Dubbo by 34 runs.
CYMS will also be missing players this week with Ben Strachan again unavailable while fellow quick James ‘Busta’ Nelson is also out.
Tom Coady, who made his first grade debut against is Souths, is also missing from last week’s team but Dave McAlister, Ben O’Donnell and Nick Guthrie all return.
It is a key match for the Cougars, who sit in third but are three points off the second-placed Souths and just two points ahead of fourth-placed Rugby.
Ryan was adamant his side would have to be wary of CYMS on Saturday but added his side would be focusing on its own charge towards the minor premiership.
“We’re still not playing as good as we possibly could,” he said.
“There’s still things we can improve on and we know one or two losses could see us right back with the pack.
“It’s important to stay in control and keep winning.”
Saturday’s 50 over clash at No. 1 Oval begins at 12.30pm.