Lions challenge Kangaroos for One-Day supremacy today

Saturday, November 21, 2009 6:35 AM

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BY ANDREW HANCEL Observer writer

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Defending champions Melbourne Kangaroos will seek to retain the domestic limited-over title when they face SuperLeague champions Manchester Lions at Chedwin Park today, beginning at 9:30 am.

With this being the last silverware of the season for the taking, Melbourne are well aware that a trophyless campaign will mean complete disappointment.

BAUGH JNR (right)... returns for today's game for Kangaroos

The Kangaroos have been consistent for the most part, only to falter when it matters most. They finished as runners-up in the SuperLeague and fell at the semi-final stage of the 20/20 championship.

And so they're expected to march into Chedwin Park like soldiers on a mission. Defeat is not an option.

The Kangaroos, following their impressive win in the backyard of the St Catherine Saints last week, will be strengthened by the return of captain Carlton Baugh Jnr and Nikita Miller.

But the Lions will not be undaunted by a Melbourne team in any shape or form.

Barry Barnes' boys finally broke Melbourne's jinx by beating them for the first time in their history in the semi-finals of the inaugural 20/20 championship.

That Melbourne team only had Miller and Donovan Pagon missing as they crashed to a nine-run defeat.

And even though Miller and Pagon are likely to be in the starting 11 today, Melbourne will have their hands full.

The Kangaroos must enter today's grand final with a definitive plan of how to nullify the effective left-arm swing bowler Krishmar Santokie, who was the difference between both sides in their last meeting, bagging five for 19 from four overs.

In their batting Manchester showed maturity and character in their semi-final encounter against Kensington, recovering from a poor start to beat the Dragons by five wickets.

Lions' captain Gary Graham led a dramatic fightback with an unbeaten 80 and expectations will remain high for him to carry them to a second title this season.

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