THIS WEEKEND Port Adelaide will clash with Adelaide in a Showdown of different sorts, as both of South Australia's AFL teams face off in a T20 match at Adelaide Oval.
Ahead of the big Bushfire T20 Showdown - of which all proceeds are going to support the SA Bushfire Appeal - portadelaidefc.com.au has analysed the Power's line up and found the best comparison from world cricket that matches their playing style.
Tom Jonas (captain):
Position: Batsman
Batting style: Right Hand
Bowling style: Right Arm Medium/Off Spin
Cricketer comparison: Jason Holder
Jonas is a big-hitting middle-order batsman who particularly likes to take down spin bowling. A blistering 45 guided Port Adelaide’s Grange Dolphins to victory over a PAC side which included former Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker a month ago.
He also bowls some handy slow mediums, really focussing on his line and length rather than pace - can also hit a good yorker, which makes him an option bowling at the death.
The 28-year-old is remarkably similar to West Indies captain Jason Holder who has decided he doesn’t really like to bat or bowl much in games anymore.
Jonas likes to talk down his ability, but expect him to put a few in the Adelaide Oval stands.
Travis Boak
Position: All-rounder
Batting style: Right hand
Bowling: Right Arm Fast
Cricketer comparison: Andrew Flintoff
Boak is Port Adelaide’s x-factor player. His ability with both bat and ball, as well as his energy in the field makes him the one to watch in the Bushfire T20 Showdown.
He was the dominant player for the Grange Dolphins in last year’s premiership winning side.
While he doesn’t have the same physique as England great Andrew Flintoff, his impact on games of cricket is very similar.
If Port get up in the Bushire Showdown expect similar celebrations to the 2005 Ashes series…
The former skipper is coming off post-season surgery on his shoulder, which may mean he will be reliant on just wielding the willow. If this is the case, expect a big score.
Hamish Hartlett
Position: Wicketkeeper/Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand
Bowling: Right Arm Medium
Cricketer comparison: AB de Villiers
Hartlett is Port Adelaide’s most aesthetically pleasing cricketer to watch. Think Mike Hussey’s cover drive and Mark Waugh’s flick off the pads.
The rebounding defender was an elite junior cricketer, representing South Australia and also being selected in an Australian u/15 representative team.
Hartlett fought it out with current Australia vice-captain Alex Carey for a spot in the underage sides with the gloves before footy took over.
Hartlett told us to compare him to AB de Villiers. And that’s fair.
We are expecting big things.
Tom Clurey
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Spin
Cricketer comparison: Lance Klusener
Tom Clurey is a big-hitting middle-order batsman who absolutely loves clearing the pickets.
Clurey is the right-handed batting version of Lance Klusener, praying on anything short, while looking to take down any spinner that bowls to him.
He was an important member of the Grange Dolphins premiership campaign last year, and would love to see them go back-to-back.
The key defender has also been known to make the odd blunder running between the wickets - think back to the South Africa vs Australia semi-final at the 1999 World Cup, which only adds to the Klusener comparison.
But the Katamatite product has spent the last two weeks working hard on his calling.
Connor Rozee
Position: All-rounder
Batting Style: Right hand
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium/Off Spin
Cricketer comparison: Greg Blewett
Connor Rozee was another very talented junior cricketer, plying his trade at the East Torrens District Cricket Club and in underage state squads.
Rozee is an elegant batsman - best known for his front-foot pull-shot and clipping them off his legs. Picture Greg Blewett.
He is a batsman who can score all around the ground, and is very aesthetically pleasing to watch play.
The runner-up in the 2019 Rising Star Award began his career bowling medium pace, but enjoys changing it up with some tweakers. Has been known to don the sunglasses while bowling his offies, much like the great Blewy.
Todd Marshall
Position: All-rounder
Batting Style: Right Hand
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Spin
Cricketer comparison: Sulieman Benn
Marshall was another very talented junior cricket, touring England with a New South Wales underage side before turning his focus to football.
Surprisingly, they tall key forward is an off spin bowler, with his bounce and turn a big weapon. A real Sulieman Benn type operator.
He is also very handy with the bat, often opening up for the Grange Dolphins and setting a strong foundation.
Expecting some runs and wickets from the big man. Clearly better with the stick than Sulieman who averaged 14 from his 26 Tests.
Boyd Woodcock
Position: All-rounder
Batting style: Right Hand
Bowling style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Cricketer comparison: Andy Bichel
Woodcock is a really skiddy bowler who hits the bat hard and is likely to take a few batsmen by surprise.
The crafty forward comes off the long run and isn’t afraid to a bowl a little bit of chin music.
Frustrated with being tagged as just a bowler by some facets of the media (sorry, Boyd), Woodcock has been absolutely whacking them for the Grange Dolphins, averaging close to 50.
He is well and truly in the all-rounder category. He bowls like Andy Bichel and can be a very damaging batsman.
He also brings plenty in the field and has a rocket arm.
Kane Farrell
Position: Bowler
Batting style: Left Hand
Bowling style: Right Arm Medium Fast
Cricketer comparison: Damien Fleming
Farrell will most likely take the new ball and look to swing it away from the right handers.
He swings it much in the same vein as Damien Fleming, so it is safe to say he is guaranteed a hat-trick on Sunday afternoon.
Farrell is also equally as talkative as Flem. Expect him to do plenty of media throughout the game.
The skilful forward has been a revelation for the Grange Dolphins and isn’t afraid to go for a few runs as he looks to take early wickets.
Farrell also has a very safe pair of hands.
