MILDURA West co-coach Chris Williams believes an even team contribution will be critical if his squad is to return to SCA finals.
The boys from John Hall Oval have made a bright start to the season with three wins and a loss heading into the first of the two-day games at home against Coomealla Wentworth.
Different players have made an impact when needed across the first four games of the season, and the three-time Innes Medal winner said that will be the biggest factor for success going forward.
“That’s something we’ve been speaking about, everyone standing up when the opportunity arises and spreading that load across the team,” Williams said.
“That will be critical for Mildura West if we are to go deep into this season, making sure everyone is taking their opportunities and not leaving it to one or two players.
“We are (happy to be 3-1), if you’d offered that at the start of the season we’d absolutely have taken it.
“Probably as important is how we play and I’ve been really pleased with how we’ve taken the game on.
“There were a few factors in the loss to Irymple that we’ve tried to address and so far it’s been working, now we’re looking forward to getting stuck into some two-day cricket which will hopefully suit us better, but we still have to execute.”
Williams said there will likely be an adjustment period for all players heading into the longer format of the game.
“I think it will be tough for everyone to readjust after a month of one-day cricket, be it the increased bowling loads or staying a bit more patient and leaving more balls when batting,” he said.
“I’m confident we can adjust, and for our imports Jasper Presswell and Joe Smallman it gives us even more of a chance to see what they can do.”
Williams currently tops the competition run scoring with 175 at an average of 58.
“It’s been pretty good, really just going back to basics and trying to play the ball as late as possible and keep everything as straight as possible,” he said of his form.
“Again in two-day cricket you just have to be patient enough to get yourself in and I feel like I have to ability to be able to score a few runs if I can do that.”
