EAST Albury coach Andrew Wilkes believes the Crows’ lowly position on the ladder doesn’t tell the full story.
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Besides a disappointing performance against Wodonga, Wilkes said last year’s grand finalists haven’t been far off the pace.
Although they have lost to Tallangatta, Albury, Lavington, Wodonga and St Patrick’s, Wilkes is hoping to break the drought against Belvoir at Alexandra Park on Saturday.
Every single batsman just needs to do his job for the side.
- Andrew Wilkes
“Drew Cameron batted really well last week, but to be honest I thought 300 or 320 would have been par score at Alex Park,” he said.
“We are very confident of chasing it down.
“Losing nine players is going to challenge any club to be as dominant as we have been over the past few years, but we are just trying to do little things better each week.
“We need to get everything right, whether it’s a three or four over spell of bowling or 15 overs with the bat.
“Bar one game we have been in a position to win every game.”
While the young East Albury line-up has the talent, the Crows need to reverse the trend of losing wickets in clusters.
That will be a challenge against a Belvoir attack led by Matt Jaensch, Brad Freake and Zach Simmonds.
“Every single batsman just needs to do his job for the side,” he said.
“Against St Pats we were 2-180 just before tea and next thing we were all out.
“You can’t have that happening.
“The wicket is good and we need to bat out our overs.”
East Albury’s batting has been bolstered by the return of Nick Hanlon in recent weeks, while Tom Miles looks set for a score after making starts.
Meanwhile, Lavington fancy its chances of chasing down North Albury’s score of 9-306 at Lavington Oval.
Matt Sharp and Sam Harris shape as the Panther batsmen most likely to repeat the heroics of Hopper star David Farrell.
“It’s a big score, but I’ll back us in to give it a nudge,” coach Robbie Mackinlay said.
“The ground is quick and the pitch is good so 300 is achievable.”
Sharp has made 29, 79 and 48 not out this season and will be the wicket the North Albury attack is chasing.
St Patrick’s will have their work cut out defending 252 at Tallangatta.
Nick Wood, Matt Armstrong, Trent Ball and James Weighell will be eager to score heavily to consolidate the team’s standing near the top of the ladder.
Wodonga will press for outright points against Wodonga Raiders.
Albury should have enough runs to defeat New City at Billson Park.
Extra drink breaks will be taken due to the heat.
