Lavington loses its aura of invincibility at the top of the order

Lavington has lost its opening aura of invincibility.

In the four finals, the combination of Daryl Tuffey and Matt Sharp has posted 16, 17, 58 and 14, averaging 26 runs.

In a seven-match streak from round 11, the Panthers scored 56, 78, 64, 51, 49, 56 and 36, averaging 52.

Coach Sam O'Connor and Sharp combined in six innings, so it will be interesting if the Panthers switch back for Saturday's decider against North Albury.

NORTH'S NEMESIS

Meanwhile, North has its own opening issues.

In the club's last three innings against Lavington, North has averaged only 5.67 runs.

Teenager Ben Paddle and Ash Hulme scored 12 in Saturday's opening grand final and one in the second game.

But the problems against the Panthers haven't been confined to the opening pair.

In those games, North has been 4-23, 9-56 and 4-45 respectively.

Greg Daniel (68 not out in round 11) and Brendan Simmons (56 in grand final two)) were the only half-centuries.

RUN AT RECORD

Simmons will have his 29^th innings at Wodonga's Les Cheesley Oval.

When the competition lost the 80-over format over winter, the prospect of breaking Robbie Jackson's single-season run-scoring record of 1032 (in 16 innings) looked difficult.

But given the aggressive batting of top order players at 50-over level now, it's just a matter of time.

Tallangatta's Indian import Sahib Malhotra was on target to break Jackson's 2013-14 mark, scoring 467 at 155.67 in eight innings before returning home.

INJURY ISSUE

There's no doubt a shoulder problem to Lavington paceman David Tassell has taken away some zip.

Tassell bolted to the lead in the association wicket-takers, with Tuffey declaring he was capable of playing first grade in Sydney.

But the 26-year-old has stalled in the past two months.

In his last 11 games, he's snared only nine wickets, including just one in the four finals.

Tassell, who still has 38 scalps, hasn't delivered a full 10-over spell since round 13 against New City.

NEW TERRITORY

CAW enters a new era on Saturday when it overlaps with the football season for the first time in at least 22 years, it not ever.

North's stunning upset over Lavington has pushed the three-game series into that decider at the neutral venue.

The Lavington Sportsground is unavailable as it will host the clash between Lavington and North Albury in O and M football.

Football generally attracts a bigger crowd, but could cricket do the unthinkable for the game in an historic three-match series?

EARLY START

The late finish to Sunday's match will force a change for the final game.

"The pennant committee will meet later this week, but we'll be looking at an 11 or 11.30 start," CAW chairman Michael Erdeljac said.

Sunday's midday start for the rescheduled game at Xavier Oval - after Bunton Park was unavailable due to Friday's wet weather - meant the game finished close to 7pm in fading light.

Saturday's early forecast is a 30 per cent chance of rain, but only up to 0.4 millimetres.

Sunday is the reserve day.