East Ballarat recruit Blake Thomson has played his last match in the Ballarat Cricket Association this season.
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The former Victorian Bushranger has resumed his duties with Melbourne Cricket Club in the Victorian premier ranks.
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Chris Jerram will replace him as opening bat in the Hawks' one day clash with Buninyong on Saturday.
"They had a good game last week and nearly knocked off Darley," East captain Josh Brown said.
"We've just got to target their best players and smother them with the bat."
At the other end, Buninying will be bolstered by the return of Mayank Sharma, who will step in for Rupinder Singh.
However top order bat Michael Archer looks unlikely to return to the club after returning to the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association.
Teenage all-rounder Liam Mason is shaping up as his long-term replacement.
Bunnies captain Liam Brady said a good start would be vital to overcoming the unbeaten Hawks.
"We've been in a fair bit of trouble with the bat so it would be nice to improve that area of our game," he said.
Meanwhile Mt Clear top order bat Matthew Ward is under a cloud after sustaining a hamstring injury ahead of the club's clash with Napoleons-Sebastopol.
Club captain Jarrod Burns said Ward would be a loss for the club, which won't be taking bottom-placed Naps-Sebas lightly.
"They almost chased 240 against Point two weeks ago and they've still got talent and experience," he said.
"This is a game we really want, it's six points that will keep us at the top of the leaderboard.
Naps-Sebas will make only one change with wicket keeper Dylan Sexton coming for Seamus Dunne.
Head coach Dan Davies said he expected another tough game.
"We'll just focus on ourselves and what we need to do to keep improving," he said.
Out east, Darley will be without Ben Longhurst, who will take an extra week to repair a sore calf.
He joins an injury list which also includes Alan Steenholdt (quad) and Hayden Jamieson (hernia), who might be out for the season.
The Lions will be at home against a North Ballarat outfit, which is uneaten in three of its four matches thus far.
"They are in good form and we haven't hit our straps yet. It's going to be game on," Darley coach Brian Wheelahan said.
The Roosters will enter the encounter fully healthy, but will likely make some changes after a disappointing performance against Mt Clear last week.
Club captain Mick Nolan said it was always tough traveling to Darley.
"They'll be up," he said.