MILDURA West have rocketed into Sunraysia Cricket Association First Division finals calculations on the back of more even team performances last weekend, coach Davison Mbindi said.
Two wins from two games against sides that started the day higher on the ladder than West in Coomealla Wentworth and Nichols Point were all the more pertinent given former captain-coach Chris Williams did not play.
In previous seasons, three-time Innes medallist and Sunraysia Daily Team of the 21st Century member Williams, who will return this round, had shouldered much of the load for West.
“We cannot depend on Chris all the time, so we have to start standing up, and it is starting to happen now,” Mbindi said.
“Everyone is chipping in with the ball and bat and it was a good effort by the boys (last weekend).”
West are now on 50 points in fifth, 10 points behind Coomealla Wentworth and 10 clear of Nichols Point.
They now host Merbein South in a standalone Twenty20.
The Saints are still winless this season, while the two sides either side of West on the ladder meet.
“We are playing Merbein on Saturday and it is a game that we are looking forward to,” Mbindi said.
“There are 10 points up for the taking.”
